Draft:Max Penzel

Penzel studied cinematography at the [https://www.dffb.de Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB)] from 1999 to 2005, including a scholarship year at the [https://www.filmschool.lodz.pl/ Łódź Film School] in Poland. His mentors included Volker Schlöndorff, Michael Ballhaus, and Sławomir Idziak.[https://www.vatmh.org/en/grant-recipient-details/grant/77-max-penzel.html Villa Aurora Fellowship Bio], Villa Aurora.

Penzel began his career with award-winning short films such as Tag 26 and The Date, with Tag 26 winning the Grand Chameleon Award at the Brooklyn International Film Festival in 2003.[https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=275 Brooklyn Film Festival], Tag 26 award listing. During his studies, he completed a traineeship on Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York (2002), gaining early experience on a major international production. He also worked on the opera From the House of the Dead (2005), directed by Volker Schlöndorff.

He received the Michael Ballhaus Award in 2005 and the Bavarian Film Award for Best Cinematography (2nd Unit) in 2007 for his work on Strajk – Die Heldin von Danzig. In 2009, he received the [https://www.vatmh.org/en/villa-aurora.html Villa Aurora Fellowship] from the German Foreign Ministry.

He served as cinematographer on the mini-series [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13722986/ Crews & Gangs] (2019), broadcast on Joyn, and on the feature documentary [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1700462/ Paul Kalkbrenner – A Live Documentary] (2010).[https://www.tvspielfilm.de/serien/crews-and-gangs,10610175,ApplicationShow.html TV Spielfilm – Crews & Gangs]

• Michael Ballhaus Award (2005)
• Bavarian Film Award, Best Cinematography (2nd Unit) – Strajk (2007)
• Villa Aurora Fellowship – German Foreign Ministry (2009)
• German Design Award (2012), BMW Zagato image film
• DVD Gold/Platinum (2011–2016), Paul Kalkbrenner – A Live Documentary
• Grimme Award – Live Behind the Wall
• Best Music Video – Sehsüchte Festival, Geboren im Winter
• Grand Prix and Best Short – Valladolid IFF, Lights
• European Film Awards nominee – Lights
• Best Short Film – Brooklyn IFF, Tag 26, The Dud
• Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Award – The Date

Penzel has worked in more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He has directed or shot commercials for brands including Nikon, BMW, Raiffeisen Bank, Adidas, and Mini. Collaborating agencies include Ogilvy & Mather, Jung von Matt, and TBWA.

He has directed music videos for:

• Udo Lindenberg – Hinterm Horizont
• Nena – Das ist nicht alles
• MIA – Was es ist, Verrückt, Geboren im Winter
• Scooter – David Doesn’t Eat, Behind the Cow
• Moderat – Rusty Nails

He has also contributed lighting and video design for stage productions, including collaborations with Greek director Ektoras Lygizos.

Penzel is the founder of m-quadrat GmbH & Co KG (Germany) and m-quadrat ASIA Pte Ltd (Singapore). He is CEO of the creative agency [https://www.digitaldisruptors.agency Digital Disruptors]. He is currently a contributor to the documentary series Beyond the Code AI.

• Crews & Gangs[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13722986/ IMDb – Crews & Gangs]
• Paul Kalkbrenner – A Live Documentary[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1700462/ IMDb – Paul Kalkbrenner – A Live Documentary]
• Berlin Calling[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211946/ IMDb – Berlin Calling]
• Tag 26[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0350182/ IMDb – Tag 26]
• The Date[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0392885/ IMDb – The Date]
• Lights[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0857256/ IMDb – Lights]
• Gou Gou’s Autumn[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6017656/ IMDb – Gou Gou’s Autumn]
• Live Behind the Wall[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2217990/ IMDb – Live Behind the Wall]
• Fleisch ist mein Gemüse[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0997152/ IMDb – Fleisch ist mein Gemüse]
• Mystery Challenge
• Anomalya[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3139168/ IMDb – Anomalya]
• Der Blindgänger[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421067/ IMDb – Der Blindgänger]
• Menschenkörper[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423715/ IMDb – Menschenkörper]

• Cloud Atlas[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1371111/ IMDb – Cloud Atlas]
• Hitman: Agent 47[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2679042/ IMDb – Hitman: Agent 47]
• Global Player – Wo wir sind isch vorne[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2585798/ IMDb – Global Player]
• Strajk – Die Heldin von Danzig[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0440978/ IMDb – Strajk – Die Heldin von Danzig]
• Whiskey mit Wodka[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1365212/ IMDb – Whiskey mit Wodka]
• Berlin Calling[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211946/ IMDb – Berlin Calling]
• Alarm für Cobra 11[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118507/ IMDb – Alarm für Cobra 11]
• Beautiful Bitch[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1121710/ IMDb – Beautiful Bitch]
• The Ninth Day[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415837/ IMDb – The Ninth Day]

• [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1386806/ Max Penzel at IMDb]
• [https://wearem2.co Official website (We Are M2)]
• [https://www.digitaldisruptors.agency/ Digital Disruptors]
• [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211946/ Berlin Calling (2008) at IMDb]
• [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0440978/ Strajk – Die Heldin von Danzig at IMDb]