57th Television Awards ceremony with record attendance

Five TV productions were honoured for their special educational value for adults. Actress Maria Hofstätter received the prestigious Axel Corti Award. With the award ceremony, the Austrian Adult Education Conference (KEBÖ) sent out a strong signal in favour of a diverse, critical and educational television landscape.

‘The nominated programmes show how diverse, critical and committed media can be,’ emphasised ORF Radio Director Ingrid Thurnher in her welcoming speech. KEBÖ Chairman Bernd Wachter officially kicked off the event, emphasising the added social value of responsible reporting in his speech: ‘In view of the current challenges, one thing is certain: avoiding the media is not the answer!’

The evening was hosted by John Evers, spokesperson for the jury and Secretary General of the VÖV. He addressed the 86 entrants from 13 different broadcasters with particular pride: "You are a sign that no topic is too difficult, too complicated or too boring and thus make an important contribution to media literacy, civic engagement and public discourse. Please keep up the good work!"

Winners of the 57th Television Awards
The series ‘Literatur to go’ by Beate Thalberg [idea, concept, transmedia project coordination] and Ursula Schirlbauer [editorial director], broadcast on 3sat and available in the ORF media library, was honoured in the ‘Literature, Culture, Art’ category.

In the ‘Economic, democratic and political education’ category, the prize went to the documentary ‘Annehmkinder - die Kinder, die zu viel waren’ by Gabi Kerschbaumer, broadcast on ORF 2.

The documentary ‘Bildung für Alle - Die Geschichte der Österreichischen Volkshochschulen’ by Stefan Nicolini, broadcast in the ‘zeit.geschichte’ series on ORF III, was awarded in the category ‘Science education, communication, technical education and digitalisation’.

The documentary ‘Ich kaufe, deshalb bin ich - Kann es guten Konsum geben?’ by Heidi Neuburger-Dumancic, broadcast on 3sat, was honoured in the ‘Sustainability and Future Skills’ category

The prize for the ‘Human Rights and Society’ category went to ‘Aufstand im Bordell - Frauenhandel um 1900’ by Caroline Haidacher [responsible for the programme] and Stefan Ludwig [screenplay and director], produced in cooperation with NDR/ARTE and NGF Geyrhalter Film, broadcast in ORF 2's ‘Universum History’ series.

Axel Corti Award to Maria Hofstätter
The Axel Corti Award 2025 went to actress Maria Hofstätter. Her first reaction to the award: ‘And why exactly me?’ - a typically modest reaction that contrasts with her impressive acting work and her multifaceted social commitment to justice, artistic freedom and democracy. The audience honoured the award with prolonged applause.

In her acceptance speech, Hofstätter spoke in favour of lifelong learning: ‘As long as you are alive, learning is possible - and always beneficial.’ She concluded with an urgent appeal: "Education is one of the best safeguards for our democracy. We must not lose sight of the goal of remaining a democratic educational society.

Queries & contact
Verband Österreichischer Volkshochschulen - VÖV
Dr John Evers
Phone: 069918917529
Email: john.evers@vhs.or.at
Website: www.vhs.or.at

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