The KiKA series “Following in Fritzi’s Footsteps” was a success

Success for “Following in Fritzi’s footsteps”

KiKA series about the GDR’s victory at the International Emmys

The International Emmys take place in New York. The German series was also a success.

KiKA Production “Following in Fritzi’s footsteps – what was it like in the GDR?” achieved significant success at the 53rd International Emmys. In the “Kids: Factual & Entertainment” category, the format beat entries from the UK, Brazil and South Africa. The series was named the best non-American children’s entertainment format.

The combination of animation, contemporary witness conversations, and historical context is intended to give young viewers an understanding of the realities of life in the GDR. The story is told from the perspective of little girl Fritzi, taking the audience on a journey through time – into everyday life in the former GDR and the events surrounding the fall of the Wall in November 1989.

The project is a co-production between MDR, WDR and Balance Film. After the awards ceremony, KiKA presenter Julian Janssen emphasized the specialness of the moment: “There was also a bit of happiness,” he said of the success. “And also the courage to create high-quality programming for children. It’s incredible that we were able to receive this award today.”

Ralf Kukula, screenwriter and producer of the series, was also moved. In his acceptance speech, he recalled the production’s historical background: “36 years later, I stand here and think this is absolutely crazy,” the “Frankfurter Allgemeine” quoted him as saying, referring to his own memories of the final days of the GDR. Recalling the fall of the Berlin Wall, Kukula said they wanted to show “what it was like when Germany was the happiest country in the world.” “It was important to him that we remember him.”

Not all German participants made it through to the awards ceremony. The ARD miniseries “Herrhausen – The Lord of Money” received no awards. The four-part drama about the former Deutsche Bank boss lost to British production “Lost Boys & Fairies” in the “TV movie/miniseries” category. It tells the story of a homosexual couple who adopts a child.

The UK format also emerged as a winner in other categories. The crime comedy “Ludwig” was named the best comedy series. The series is already running at ZDF who came on board as co-producers for the second season. “Rivals,” a series about the lives of a conservative aristocratic family in 1980s England, won the “Best Drama Series” category.

Other awards went to the Australian children’s series “Bluey”, the British documentary “Hell Jumper” about a volunteer who died in the Ukrainian war, and a Netflix production about the Luis Rubiales kissing scandal at the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup. In total, productions from 26 countries were nominated in 16 categories. An offshoot of the American Emmy Awards, the International Emmys honor television content produced abroad in the US.