Jannis Lenz

Jannis Lenz studied Directing in the Masters Programme of Jessica Hausner at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where he also worked as an assistant for Oscar- and Palme d´Or winner Michael Haneke. He is a  Berlinale Talents Alumni, received the the Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award, the Award of the Austrian Film Institute for Best Upcoming Director, the Distinction of the Society of Fine Artists Austria, and is an official member of the European Film Academy. Grown up in Germany, he collected his first camera and directing experiences by filming himself and his friends doing Le Parkour, a performing art in an urban environment. His video installations, which explore dance and performing bodies in public spaces are presented in museums and exhibitions worldwide. Since 2014, Lenz´films are regularly shown at Festivals like Rotterdam IFF, FNC Montreal, Sarajevo IFF and won numerous awards and prizes. His Bachelor- Degree Film WANNABE won the Prix Clermont- Ferrand and got nominated for the European Film Awards. The borderline between fictional and documentary storytelling is something that Lenz explores in many different ways, addressing questions regarding identity, role models, and belonging in a globalized society. Lenz graduation film and  first Feature Documentary SOLDAT AHMET premiered at Visions du Réel, won many awards and had a theatrical release in cinemas in 2022. FILMOGRAPHY: 2021 SOLDAT AHMET ( DOC., 75min.) 2021 EVEN DEATH IN MY ARMS IS BEAUTIFUL ( DOC., 08 min.) 2020 BATTLEFIELD ( DOC., 08 min.) 2017 WANNABE ( FIC., 30min.) 2017 GENERALPROBE / DRESS REHEARSAL ( FIC., 15 min.) 2016 SCHWEREOLS / ZERO-G ( DOC., 12 min.) 2015 SCHATTENBOXER / SHADOWBOXER ( FIC., 18 min.) 2014 DAHEIM UND DAZWISCHEN / IN BETWEEN ( FIC., 24 min.)