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 Michael Haneke.

 

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.


Lenz´films are regularly shown at International Film Festivals like IFF Rotterdam, FNC Montreal, Sarajevo IFF, Palm Springs ISFF 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,  often in collaboration with non-professional actors, addressing questions regarding identity, role models, and belonging in a globalized society. He has been invited several times to speak and to give workshops at schools, universities and film festivals.

 

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. Currently he is developing his first narrative Feature Film FREAKS, supported by Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film and the FFA in Germany.

 


ACCOLADES, GRANTS AND MORE

 

2022 Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award

2022 Award of the Austrian Film Institute for Best Upcoming Director

2022 Talent Film Program / Kuratorium junger deutscher Film

2021 First Steps Award / Nomination,  Berlin

2021 Berlinale Talents Alumni

2017 Award of the Society of Fine Artists Austria - Künstlerhaus Wien

2017 Membership of the European Film Academy

2017 European Film Awards / Nomination, Berlin
2017 Performance Grant - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
2016 START Scholarship of the Bundeskanzleramt Austria for Cinematic Art

2016 FIPA Talent Campus Alumni

2016 Guest Student for Acting & Theatre Directing - Max Reinhardt Seminar

2016 Bachelor Degree with Distinction in Directing at Filmacademy Vienna

2016 Bachelor Degree with Distinction in Editing at Filmacademy Vienna

 

Contact: lenzfilm@gmail.com