Jochen Alexander Freydank is a German

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

. Freydank has directed feature films, TV movies, commercials and stage plays, and won various awards, including an

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

for his short film '' Toyland'' in 2009. Jochen Alexander Freydank was born in 1967 in

East Berlin East Berlin was the ''de facto'' capital city of East Germany from 1949 to 1990. Formally, it was the Allied occupation zones in Germany, Soviet sector of Berlin, established in 1945. The American, British, and French sectors were known as ...

. He started his career in the 1990s as an editor and assistant director for television and film productions. He is also known as a screenwriter for television series and TV movies and worked as a producer. He produced one of Germany's most successful TV series. In 1999 he founded his film production company, Mephisto Film. Freydank's first short film was the macabre comedy ''Happy End'', followed by the short film ''Emergency''. In 2002, he wrote and directed ''Duty'', which had its world premiere at the

Montreal World Film Festival The Montreal World Film Festival (WFF; french: le Festival des Films du Monde) was one of Canada's oldest international film festivals and the only competitive film festival in North America accredited by the FIAPF (although the Toronto Internat ...

. Freydank then directed, co-wrote and produced the short film '' Toyland'', which won more than 30 international awards. In February 2009 TOYLAND won

the Oscar The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

for best live-action short film. Freydank's directorial credits include feature films and TV movies, among them ''Homefront,'' ''Allmächtig'', ''

Tatort ''Tatort'' ("Crime scene") is a German language police procedural television series that has been running continuously since 1970 with some 30 feature-length episodes per year, which makes it the longest-running German TV drama. Developed by ...

'', and the

tragicomedy Tragicomedy is a literary genre that blends aspects of both tragedy, tragic and comedy, comic forms. Most often seen in drama, dramatic literature, the term can describe either a tragic play which contains enough comic elements to lighten the ov ...

''Und Weg Bist Du'', which won the best director award at

Bayerischer Fernsehpreis Bayerischer Fernsehpreis (the Bavarian TV award) is an award presented by the government of Bavaria, Germany since 1989. The prize symbol is the "Blue Panther", a figure from the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory. The prize money is €10,000 (Spe ...

. In 2010 Freydank directed the stage play ''Johnny Chicago'' at Berliner Volksbühne. In 2013/2014 he wrote, directed and produced the feature film ''Kafka's The Burrow'' based on a novel by

Franz Kafka Franz Kafka (3 July 1883 – 3 June 1924) was a German-speaking Bohemian novelist and short-story writer, widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature. His work fuses elements of realism and the fantastic. It ...

. The film had its world premiere at the

Busan International Film Festival The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF, previously Pusan International Film Festival, PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan (''also'' Pusan), South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festi ...

and its European premiere at the

Warsaw International Film Festival Warsaw Film Festival ( pl, Warszawski Festiwal Filmowy, abbreviated as WFF) is an annual film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries from all around the world. The festival ha ...

. 2014 Freydank wrote and directed ''Grosse Fische – Kleine Fische'', followed by three prime-time movies for German TV in 2015: ''Der Wilde Sven'', the thriller ''Zorn – Wie Sie Töten'' and ''Engelmacher,'' a

police crime drama The police show, or police crime drama, is a subgenre of procedural drama and detective fiction that emphasizes the investigative procedure of a police officer or department as the protagonist(s), as contrasted with other genres that focus on ei ...

. In 2016 he directed the TV movies ''Dünnes Eis'' and ''Trugspur''. He then directed two German TV movies in

Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...

, Spain: ''Über Wasser Halten'' and ''Tod Aus Der Tiefe'', and in 2017 a thriller based on the best selling novel ''Das Joshua Profil'' by

Sebastian Fitzek Sebastian David Fitzek (born 13 October 1971 in West-Berlin) is a German writer and journalist. His first book, ''Therapy (Fitzek novel), Therapy'' (''German language, dt.'' ), was a bestseller in Germany in 2006, toppling ''The Da Vinci Code'' ...

. In 2020 he directed another literary adaptation: ''Zero'' is a dark social media thriller based on the bestselling novel by Marc Elsberg starring

Heike Makatsch Heike Makatsch (; born 13 August 1971) is a German actress. She is known for her roles as Lisa Addison in ''Resident Evil'' (2002), Mia in ''Love Actually'' (2003), and as Liesel's mother in ''The Book Thief'' (2013). Early life Makatsch was bo ...

. Freydank is a member of the

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS, often pronounced ; also known as simply the Academy or the Motion Picture Academy) is a professional honorary organization with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motio ...

Filmography as director

* 2021: ''Herzogpark'' (miniseries) * 2021: ''Zero'' * 2020: ''Du sollst nicht luegen'' (miniseries) * 2019: ''Dein Leben gehoert mir'' * 2018: ''Das Joshua Profil'' * 2017: ''Tod aus der Tiefe'' * 2017: ''Über Wasser halten'' * 2016: ''Trugspur'' * 2016: ''

Polizeiruf 110 ''Polizeiruf 110'' ("Police call 110") is a long-running German-language detective television series likened to Poirot. The name links to the emergency telephone number of the ''Volkspolizei''. The first episode was broadcast 27 June 1971 in the ...

: Dünnes Eis'' * 2015: ''Zorn – Wie sie töten'' * 2015: ''Der wilde Sven'' * 2015: ''Engelmacher'' * 2014: ''Grosse Fische – Kleine Fische'' * 2014: ''Kafka's The Burrow'' * 2013: ''

: Allmächtig'' * 2012: ''Und weg bist du'' * 2010: ''

: Heimatfront'' (''Homefront'') * 2007: '' Toyland'' (Spielzeugland) * 2002: ''Duty'' (Dienst) * 2001: ''Emergency'' (Notfall) * 1999: ''Happy End'' (Glückliches Ende)

Theatre

* 2010: ''Johnny Chicago'' (Berliner Volksbühne)

Filmography as producer

* 2014: ''Kafka's The Burrow'' * 2007–2009: ''

In aller Freundschaft (''In all friendship'') is a German television soap opera that began airing in 1998 every Tuesday. The series follows the staff of the fictional Sachsenklinik hospital in the city of Leipzig. The series is produced by Degeto (a subsidiary of ...

'' * 2007: ''

Endlich Samstag! ''Endlich Samstag!'' is a German television series. See also *List of German television series External links

* 2006 German television series debuts 2008 German television series endings German-language television shows {{Germany-tv-pr ...

'' * 2007: '' Toyland'' (Spielzeugland) * 2002: ''One Single Moment'' * 2002: ''Duty'' (Dienst) * 2002: ''The Last Journey'' * 2001: ''Emergency'' (Notfall) * 1999: ''Happy End'' (Glückliches Ende)

Filmography as writer

* 2015: ''Grosse Fische – Kleine Fische'' * 2014: ''Kafka's The Burrow'' * 2008: ''

– Taximord'' * 2007: '' Toyland'' * 2003: ''

Medicopter 117 – Jedes Leben zählt "''Medicopter 117 – Jedes Leben zählt“ (English: Medicopter 117 – Every life counts)'' is a German language television series that RTL and ORF broadcast. ''Medicopter 117'' has seven seasons in 81 episodes and a pilot movie. ''Medicop ...

'' * 2002: ''Duty'' (Dienst) * 2001: ''

Klinikum Berlin Mitte – Leben in Bereitschaft ''Klinikum Berlin Mitte – Leben in Bereitschaft'' is a German television series. See also *List of German television series The following is a list of television series produced in Germany: Current Drama * '' 4 Blocks'' ( TNT Serie, 2 ...

'' * 2001: ''Emergency'' (Notfall) * 1999: ''Happy End'' (Glückliches Ende)

Awards

2021

* Jupiter Award, nomination "Du sollst nicht lügen" best series *

, nomination Barry Atsma, best actor "Du sollst nicht lügen" * Hessischer Fernsehpreis, nomination Felicitas Woll, best actress "Du sollst nicht lügen"

2020

* Jupiter Award, nomination Vladimir Burlakov, best actor "Dein Leben gehört mir"

2015

Edinburgh International Film Festival The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is a film festival that runs for two weeks in June each year. Established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival. EIFF presents both UK and international films (all ti ...

, nomination for "Kafka's the Burrow" *

Shanghai International Film Festival The Shanghai International Film Festival (, French: ''Festival international du film de Shanghai''), abbreviated SIFF, is one of the largest film festivals in East Asia. "China's biggest film festival" according to the Hollywood Reporter. Nex ...

, nomination for "Kafka's the Burrow" * Bari International Film Festival, nomination for "Kafka's the Burrow"

2014

, nomination for "Kafka's the Burrow" *

, nomination for "Kafka's the Burrow"

2013

, best director for "Und weg bist du"

2009

OSCAR Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology), ...

live action short film for ''Toyland'' * Phoenix Film Festival, United States, ''world cinema best short'' for ''Toyland'' * Anchorage Film Festival, United States, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Washington Jewish Film Festival, United States, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Kansas City Film Fest, United States, ''best narrative short'' for ''Toyland'' * Pittsburgh Jewish Film Festival, United States, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' *

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...

Jewish Film Festival, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Rehoboth Film Festival, United States, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Villa Mare Film Festival, Italy, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Reno Film Festival, United States, ''best foreign film'' for ''Toyland'' * Portland International Film Festival, United States, ''audience award'' (second place) for ''Toyland'' * Lenola Film Festival, Italy, ''best film'' + "best Soundtrack" for ''Toyland'' * Shorts at moonlight, Germany, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * New Jersey Film Festival, United States, ''honorable mention'' for ''Toyland'' * Cleveland International Film Festival, United States, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * San Diego Jewish Film Festival, United States, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland''

2008

* Short Shorts Film Festival

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

, Japan, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, Germany short film award for ''Toyland'' *

Bermuda ) , anthem = "God Save the King" , song_type = National song , song = " Hail to Bermuda" , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , mapsize2 = , map_caption2 = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = , e ...

International Film Festival, ''Bermuda Short Film Award'' for ''Toyland'' * Rhode Island International Film Festival, United States, second place ''International Discovery Award'' for ''Toyland'' * Giffoni Film Festival, Italy, ''APEC Award'' ''in gold'' for Toyland *

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...

World Film Festival, Canada nomination for "Toyland" * Alpinale, Austria, ''audience award'', for ''Toyland'' * Odense International Film Festival, Danmark, ''best children and youth film'' for ''Toyland'' * Alemeria en Corto, Filmfestival, Spain, ''jury award & audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, United States ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films, United States, ''audience award'' for ''Toyland'' * Sedicicorto – International Film Festival Forli, Italy, ''Best short film'' for ''Toyland'' * Asheville Film Festival, United States, ''Best short film'' for ''Toyland'' * Victoria Independent Film Festival, Australia,'' Best short under 20 minutes'' for ''Toyland'' * Festival Internacional de Cortometrajes de Almería, Spain, ''audience award- and jury award'' for ''Toyland''

2007

Valladolid International Film Festival The Valladolid International Film Festival, popularly known as Seminci (short for ; ), is a film festival held annually in Valladolid, Spain. First held in 1956 as ('Valladolid Religious Film Week'), the Seminci is one of the longest-standing fi ...

, Spain, ''Golden Spike'' for ''Toyland''

2004

* Montecatini Film Festival, Italy, ''best film International Panorama'' for "Duty"

2003

* Rüsselsheimer Kurzfilmtage, special award for "Duty" *

, Canada nomination for "Duty" * Fantastisk Filmfestival Malmö, Sweden, nomination for ''best European short film'' for "Duty"

2002

* Audience award, Spotlight, internationales TV- und Werbefilm Festival for ''Hanfstreu'' * Cindy Award in Gold by the Association of Audio Visual Communicators for ''Hanfstreu'' * Silberner Bär, Festival der Nationen, Austria for ''Emergency'' * Corto web award, Arcipelago FIlm Festival, Rome, Italy for ''Emergency''

2001

* Kommunikationsverband: "Die Klappe in Bronze", for ''Hanfstreu'' * Audience award at the online film festival "Shorts welcome" for ''Happy End'' ( Glückliches Ende)

References

External links

* *
Jochen Alexander Freydank bei ''crew united''

Berliner Morgenpost ''Berliner Morgenpost'' is a German newspaper, based and mainly read in Berlin, where it is the second most read daily newspaper. History and profile Founded in 1898 by Leopold Ullstein, the paper was taken over by Axel Springer AG in 1959. It ...

, 17 May 2009
Der deutsche Oscargewinner

Die Welt ''Die Welt'' ("The World") is a German national daily newspaper, published as a broadsheet by Axel Springer SE. ''Die Welt'' is the flagship newspaper of the Axel Springer publishing group. Its leading competitors are the ''Frankfurter Allg ...

, 23 February 2009

Oscar Gewinner Jochen Alexander Freydak Deutsche Welle, DW, 5 July 2009
Ich unterstelle mir schon Talent

Frankfurter Allgemeine The ''Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung'' (; ''FAZ''; "''Frankfurt General Newspaper''") is a centre-right conservative-liberal and liberal-conservativeHans Magnus Enzensberger: Alter Wein in neuen Schläuchen' (in German). ''Deutschland Radio'', ...

, 6. März 2009
Mephisto Film
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freydank, Jochen Alexander Directors of Live Action Short Film Academy Award winners German-language film directors Living people Film directors from Berlin 1967 births German television directors