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 his friends and himself practising Le Parkour.
His video installations, which explore dance and performing bodies in public space are presented in museums and exhibitions worldwide.
Lenz´ films are shown at international Film Festivals like Rotterdam, Montreal, Sarajevo or Palm Springs and and have been honoured with 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 way of working as a filmmaker and to give workshops at schools, universities and film festivals.
His Master-Graduation Film and first Feature Documentary SOLDAT AHMET premiered at Visions du Réel, won many awards, e.g. the Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award or the Award of the Austrian Film Institute for Best Umcoming Director and had a theatrical release in cinemas in 2022.
Currently Jannis is preparing his first narrative Feature Film FREAKS, which will be shot in early 2025 in Germany.
SELECTED ACCOLADES, GRANTS AND MORE
2023 Talent Film Program / Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film (DE)
2022 Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award (US)
2022 Award of the Austrian Film Institute for Best Upcoming Director (AT)
2021 First Steps Award / Nomination, Berlin (DE)
2021 Berlinale Talents Alumni (DE)
2017 Award of the Society of Fine Artists Austria - Künstlerhaus Wien (AT)
2017 Membership of the European Film Academy
2017 European Film Awards / Nomination (FR)
2017 Performance Grant - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (AT)
2016 Scholarship of the Austrian Ministry of Culture for Cinematic Art (AT)
2016 FIPA Talent Campus Alumni (FR)
2016 Guest Student for Acting & Theatre Directing - Max Reinhardt Seminar (AT)
2016 Bachelor Degree with Distinction in Directing at Filmacademy Vienna (AT)
2016 Bachelor Degree with Distinction in Editing at Filmacademy Vienna (AT)
2010 Membership filmkoop wien (AT)
Films of Jannis Lenz are represented by