# Esther Gronenborn

Esther Gronenborn (born 1968 in Oldenburg) is a German film director and screenwriter. Films she wrote and directed include Alaska.de (2000), Adil geht (2005), Berlin Stories [de] (2005), and a segment of 99euro-films (2001). She has also been a director of the TV series Galileo Mystery.
Whether in the deserts of Abu Dhabi or on the road to happiness in China, Esther Gronenborn has garnered extensive filming experience both domestically and internationally throughout her professional career. As a director of music videos, commercials, and feature films, her diverse body of work is distinguished by its authenticity and unique visual style. A graduate of the Munich Film Academy, she has been working as a freelance writer and director since 1997. During her studies, she spent several semesters abroad in Hong Kong, China, England, and Romania.
Gronenborn completed her studies in 1997 and subsequently worked for two years at DORO Berlin as a music video and web director. She gained significant attention with her remarkable works such as *Musik im Kopf* and *Meine kleine Schwester*. In 2001, her feature film debut alaska.de was released in cinemas and won her the Lola for Best Director along with numerous national and international awards. The film also received the Lola for Best Editing and the Bavarian Film Award, adding to its acclaim. Throughout her varied career, she has directed numerous successful and award-winning films, including *Stadt als Beute* and *Ich werde nicht schweigen*. Most recently, her TV film *The White Silence* about the hospital murderer Niels Högel (RTL+) was nominated for the German Television Award 2022 and received a DAFfne for Best Editing.
In addition to her work as a director, Esther Gronenborn is actively committed to promoting equality and diversity in the film industry. She is a founding member and board member of Pro Quote Regie and Pro Quote Film. She is also a member of the German and European Film Academies. With a passion for visual art, Gronenborn has been involved in digital photographic art for several years. Her works are characterised by creative compositions and a profound narrative power that reflects her extensive experience in filmmaking. Esther Gronenborn resides with her family near Berlin.

## Filmography
### short films, feature films, and television films

* 1986: Hundstage (short film, Video)
* 1987: How to use a car (short film, Super 8)
* 1988: Tief unten (short film, Super 8)
* 1990: Sie schämen sich ihrer Tränen nicht (short film, 16 mm)
* 1991: I wonder in Pornoland (short film, 16 mm)
* 1992: Morgengrauen (short film)
* 1995: EPG 55 oder der Tag, an dem mein Fernseher kaputt ging (short film, 16 mm)
* 1997: Die Straße zum Glück (DV)
* 2000: alaska.de
* 2002: 99 Euro Films (Episode Balkan Rhapsody; short film, DV)
* 2005: Adil geht
* 2005: Stadt als Beute (Episode Ohboy)
* 2006: DVD zur Drogenprävention, (ca. 60 min.) Teil 1
* 2007: Galileo Mystery (div. episodes, studio directing und Docu directing)
* 2009: Hinter Kaifeck
* 2009: Hast Du noch was vor? Teil II, 60 min. interactive drug prevention feature film
* 2010: Hast Du nochwas vor? Teil III, 70 min. interactive drug prevention feature film
* 2011: Hast Du noch was vor? Teil 1 und IV, 50 min u. 15 min. interactive drug prevention feature film
* 2012: BalkanBeats, Eine musikalische Reise (documentary)
* 2013: Down in Brandenburg (coproducer)
* 2015: Die Vergeltung (television film)
* 2017: Ich werde nicht schweigen (television film)
* 2019: Ein Wochenende im August (television film)
* 2020: Ziemlich russische Freunde (television film)
* 2020: Das Leben ist kein Kindergarten (television film series)
* 2021: Väter allein zu Haus: Timo (television mini film series, film three)
* 2021: Väter allein zu Haus: Andreas (film four)
* 2022: Nächste Ausfahrt Glück – Der richtige Vater (television film)
* 2022: Nächste Ausfahrt Glück – Song für die Freiheit (television film)
* 2022: Das weiße Schweigen (television film)
* 2023: Ein Regenbogen zu Weihnachten (television film)
* 2024: Neuer Wind im Alten Land: Beke wirbelt auf (television film)
* 2024: Neuer Wind im Alten Land: Gestrandet (television film)

## Awards

* 1992: Best Screenplay for shortfilm Morgengrauen, FilmVerlag der Autoren
* 1992: Silver Mikeldo in Bilbao for Morgengrauen
* 1993: Kodak Award Hofer Filmtage for Morgengrauen
* 2001: Bayerischer Filmaward Best New Director for alaska.de
* 2001: Deutscher Filmaward/Lola for Best Director for alaska.de
* 2001: Nomination for the European Film Award for Best International New Director
* 2002: Nomination for the Grimme Award for alaska.de
* 2001: Best Screenplay alaska.de FilmKunstFest Schwerin
* 2001: German Film Critics Award for Best Music
* 2002: Giffoni Children's and Youth Film Festival 2nd Prize for alaska.de.
* 2005: Top prize Fliegender Ochse for Adil Geht, FilmKunstFest Schwerin
* 2005: Honorable Mention from the Jury of the Max Ophüls Festival. für Adil Geht
* 2006: Prize of the International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas (Confédération Internationale des Cinémas D’Art et Essai) for Stadt als Beute