In a significant development for the German film industry, former Wiedemann & Berg Managing Director Justyna Muesch has teamed up with ex-colleague Sofie Scherz-Fleischer and director Alireza Golafshan to establish an independent production company named Story Garden based in Munich. This collaboration marks an exciting chapter for these seasoned professionals, well-known for their successful partnership over the years and enthusiasm for innovative storytelling. Entering the industry with valuable experiences and accolades, they are set to make a notable impact on the independent film scene by focusing on the creation of high-quality films and series tailored for the German-speaking market.
Muesch, Scherz, and Golafshan have a proven track record of collaboration, having worked together on notable projects like “The Goldfish” and “JGA: Jasmin.Gina.Anna.” Their most recent venture, Golafshan’s comedy “Alles Fifty Fifty,” received critical acclaim, winning the Bavarian Film Award for Best Director in 2024. This impressive backlist positions Story Garden advantageously as they aim to bring a fresh vision to film production. The inclusion of Thomas Herberth and Florian Brüning, who have managed Horse & Fruits Film Productions—a company they co-created with Golafshan a decade ago—further amplifies the team’s expertise across diverse genres and formats.
Story Garden aims to embrace a broad spectrum of genres to cater to a diverse audience while focusing on high-quality production standards. This team’s collective skill set not only embodies traditional cinematic storytelling but also ventures into the realms of documentaries and innovative concepts, such as their ongoing project centering on a series of talking sheep, produced in collaboration with ZDF and ORF. With the company’s commitment to exploring various genres and angles, it has the potential to attract a wide audience, showcasing Germany’s rich storytelling tradition while appealing to contemporary tastes.
A critical component of Story Garden’s vision is its commitment to discovering and nurturing new talent within the film industry. Muesch’s excitement about creating a unique space for emerging creators underlines her desire to support the next generation of filmmakers, ensuring a vibrant future for German cinema. Furthermore, the strategic plan to pursue German-Austrian co-productions with Horse & Fruits Vienna speaks to their ambition to enhance collaborative exchanges in regional filmmaking. This initiative not only enriches the cultural dialogue between Germany and Austria, but also reinforces the significance of cooperation in producing compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
As Story Garden takes its first steps into the fast-evolving film landscape, it stands poised to create captivating cinematic experiences that reflect contemporary values and stories while remaining rooted in strong production fundamentals. With Muesch, Scherz, Golafshan, Herberth, and Brüning leading this charge, there is much to anticipate in terms of future projects that will undoubtedly leave their mark on both the German-speaking audience and the broader film community. Their collective vision and passion for storytelling may prove to be the driving force behind a new wave of exciting and high-quality film productions in Germany and beyond.