Benedikt Schwarzer

Born and raised in Germany, Benedikt Schwarzer started out as a photographer’s assistant and photo designer in advertising and portrait as well as an assistant director and camera assistant on documentary and fiction films. With the foundation of a production company, he produced industrial films.

From 2010 to 2017 he studied documentary filmmaking at the HFF Munich, shot music videos, trailers, some animated, and video installations. His short documentary SHOOT ME (co-directed by Narges Kalhor) was screened at national and international film festivals and was nominated for the German Short Film Award and the German Human Rights Award.

His debut, the feature length documentary THE SECRETS OF HANDSOME LEO premiered at DOK.fest Munich in 2018, screened at different festivals and was released theatrically in 2019. The Film was nominated for the German Directors’ Award Metropolis, the Studio Hamburg Newcomer Award and the German Documentary Film Award. He won the ARRI pitch Award and the Starter Film Award of the City of Munich.

His first contact with Club23 / Robert & Flo / Screenplay in 23 Days was during the making of his debut where he adapted his documentary research into a fictional screenplay in 23 days.

Benedikt Schwarzer is working a freelance documentary filmmaker and educator with Club23.