Jannis Lenz, a talented filmmaker, pursued his Master's degree in Directing under the guidance of renowned director Jessica Hausner at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Additionally, he honed his skills as an assistant to acclaimed filmmaker Michael Haneke.
Born and raised in Germany, Lenz's early fascination with filmmaking led him to collect his first camera and directing experiences by capturing his friends and himself engaging in Le Parkour. This marked the beginning of his journey as a filmmaker.
His innovative video installations, which explore the intersection of dance, performance, and public spaces, have been showcased in museums and exhibitions worldwide. Lenz's films frequently premiere at prominent international film festivals, including the IFF Rotterdam, FNC Montreal, Sarajevo IFF, and Palm Springs ISFF, garnering numerous awards and accolades along the way. His Bachelor-Degree Film, WANNABE, won the prestigious Prix Clermont-Ferrand and received a nomination for the European Film Awards.
Lenz's work often blurs the lines between fictional and documentary storytelling, often collaborating with non-professional actors to explore themes of identity, role models, and belonging in a globalized society. He has been invited to share his unique approach to filmmaking and lead workshops at schools, universities, and film festivals.
His Master-Graduation Film and first feature documentary, SOLDAT AHMET, premiered at Visions du Réel, winning several awards, including the Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award and the Award of the Austrian Film Institute for Best Upcoming Director. SOLDAT AHMET also received a theatrical release in cinemas in 2022.
Currently, Lenz is developing his first narrative feature film, FREAKS, as part of the Talent Film Program of Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film in Germany.
