On October 25, Hope Media Europe, a media center of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in collaboration with the Adventist Youth Department in Germany, held the 14th Media Day in Alsbach-Hähnlein (Darmstadt). This year's theme was: Speak Up.
This networking event brought together media enthusiasts and emerging creators who showcased their projects and participated in workshops aimed at further education. The objective was to discover and promote the talents of media-savvy youth and young adults. Approximately 120 attendees participated in this year's Media Day.
The event focused on teenagers and young adults interested in various fields, including social media, media design, podcasting, video production, photography, creative and journalistic writing, software development, and gaming. Some participants had already launched their own media projects, while others sought to connect with like-minded individuals or considered starting their own initiatives.
The keynote speaker was Miriam Christin, a 22-year-old medical student from Marburg and host of the Christian podcast "More Than We See." As a Christian influencer, she has been sharing her faith for the past seven years through her podcast and social media. In her morning address, she recounted her mixed experiences, highlighting both positive feedback and negative criticism. She encouraged attendees to prioritize a strong connection with Jesus Christ before embarking on any Christian media project.
Following her, Sven Fockner, producer at Real Life Film GmbH and moderator at Hope TV, discussed the success and impact of the feature film "Life is Now," released earlier this year, which tells the story of the "Real Life Guys." He shared the highs and lows experienced by twins, Philipp and Johannes Mickenbecker, who gained fame on YouTube with their DIY videos. The film also addresses Philipp Mickenbecker's battle with cancer, which ultimately resulted in his passing on June 9, 2021, following the earlier loss of their sister in a plane crash. This film provides a poignant exploration of joy and sorrow and raises questions about what comes after death and the role of faith in God during life and dying. It has been screened in over 300 cinemas, with more than 56,000 tickets sold, and has garnered extensive coverage in both secular and religious media. The related bonus videos have amassed over 300,000 views, and 271 new small groups have formed for discussions on Christian topics. The film remains available for streaming on several platforms, including WOW, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and MagentaTV.
Project Slam and Media Day Award
During a "Project Slam," participants presented their projects in five-minute segments, primarily in the areas of podcasting, film, software, and music. Attendees voted for the winner of the Media Day Award, which was awarded to Annika Bartzke, a media management student from Leipzig. Her project involves developing an app that connects teenagers to various Christian resources, including a digital Bible, platforms for exchanging thoughts, thematic offerings, and the ability to create TikTok-like short videos or engage in gaming. This initiative is part of her master’s thesis and is being developed with support from Hope Media. The Media Day Award includes a prize of 300 euros.
Masterclasses
The Media Day featured ten workshops, referred to as masterclass sessions. Media professionals shared their expertise and experiences, enabling participants to develop ideas and benefit from the collective creative knowledge. Topics included camera work, music, journalistic writing, professional speaking, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in media projects.
Live Podcast Episode of "More Than We See"
To conclude the Media Day, a live episode of the podcast "More Than We See" was recorded. Nina Christin spoke with three media-active young adults about their faith and how they share it with others, both through their media projects and in personal interactions.
The next Media Day, hosted by Hope Media and the Adventist Youth Department in Germany, is scheduled for October 24, 2026, and will again take place at the Hope Media Center in Alsbach-Hähnlein.
Hope Media
Hope Media Europe operates the television channel Hope TV, the Hope Bible Study Institute (Hope Courses), and the Hope Audiobook Library. Hope TV is the channel of the Hope Media Europe e.V. media center, focusing on religious Christian content, including information, life assistance, culture, and music. The media center is part of the international Hope Channel family, founded in the USA by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 2003, and now consists of over 83 national channels. Hope TV can be accessed via satellite, nationwide cable, and online at www.hopetv.de.
Adventist Youth Department in Germany
The Adventist Youth Department supports around 13,000 children, scouts, teenagers, youth, young adults, and students through regional groups and nationwide events. More information can be found at www.adventjugend.de.
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