Florian Gallenberger

It might have been an Academy Award victory for his short film "Quiero ser (I want to be )" (2000) that led German director Florian Gallenberger to graduate to feature-length endeavors. Working with regular collaborator Daniel Brühl, Gallenberger released a series of pictures including "Honolulu" (2001), "City of War: The Story of John Rabe" (2009), and "Colonia" (2015). Praise for the collection proved that Gallenberger's talents were only first taking off when he earned that first Oscar. Florian Gallenberger was born in 1972, in the city of Munich in what was then West Germany. From his childhood as a screen and stage background performer, Gallenberger derived an interest in directing, going on to pursue the trade through an education at the University of Television and Film Munich. While there, Gallenberger directed short form projects like "Mysterium einer Notdurftanstalt" (1993), "Tango Berlin" (1997), and "Hure" (1997). He earned especial notice, not to mention a Best Short Subject Academy Award, for his Spanish-language piece "Quiero ser (I want to be )" (2000). Gallenberg transitioned to feature-length projects thereafter. He began what would become a regular partnership with actor Daniel Brühl on the romantic comedy anthology film "Honolulu" (2001). After his well-received drama "Shadows of Time" (2004), the director reteamed with Brühl for the biographical drama "City of War: The Story of John Rabe" (2009), which also featured Steve Buscemi, and the thriller "Colonia" (2015). The latter picture, which starred Emma Watson opposite Brühl, premiered as a special presentation at the 40th Annual Toronto International Film Festival.