Jannis Lenz studied Directing in the Masters Programme of Jessica Hausner at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where he learned from lecturers such as Abbas Kiarostami and 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.
Since 2014, Lenz´films are regularly shown at International Film Festivals 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 about his work 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