Biography
Christian Petzold is a German film director and screenwriter. Born in Hilden in 1960, he studied German and theatre at the Free University of Berlin before attending the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (dffb). He worked as an assistant director to Harun Farocki during his studies.
Petzold is associated with the Berlin School of filmmakers. His first theatrical feature was The State I Am In (2000). He is known for writing and directing Barbara (2012), Phoenix (2014), Transit (2018), Undine (2020) and Afire (2023). He frequently collaborates with actresses Nina Hoss and Paula Beer.
Petzold won the Silver Bear for Best Director for Barbara at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival. Afire received the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 festival.
