Christian Genzel

Born

1978-02-28

Birthplace

Kassel, Hesse, West Germany

Biography

Christian Genzel (*1978) works as a filmmaker and film journalist. His documentary FINDING PLANET PORNO: THE WILD JOURNEY OF AMERICAN CINEMA'S FIRST OUTLAW (2024, director/writer/producer), a portrait of cult director Howard Ziehm, celebrated its German premiere at the 58th Hof International Film Festival and was also screened at the Oldenburg Film Festival and the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma in Montreal, among others. Previously, Genzel's short film SLEEPLESS (2006, director/writer/producer), starring Maximilian Simonischek and Stefan Murr, won the Audience Award at the Salzburg Film Festival film:riss. In 2011, he released his first feature film, THE MUSE (director/writer/co-producer), a thriller starring Thomas Limpinsel and Henriette Müller. His mystery short film CINEMA DELL' OSCURITÀ (2016, director/writer/producer) was nominated for the Shocking Short Award. Genzel also produces featurettes and documentaries for home video releases, including the feature-length documentary NO WAY TO MAKE A LIVING (2022), a retrospective on Peter Jackson's horror film THE FRIGHTENERS. He has also created shorter interview featurettes for films such as TWISTER and PITCH BLACK. Genzel executive produced Eva Pieroth's science/sustainability documentary THE SPACE WE CALL HOME (2026) and is currently developing new feature film and documentary projects. Genzel works as a film journalist for publications such as the Salzburger Nachrichten, Film & TV Kamera, Ray, 35 Millimeter, Celluloid, GMX.de, GameStar, and AllMusic. He also writes essays for home video publications, gives guest lectures on film topics (including at the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg), and hosts the film podcasts Lichtspielplatz, Talking Pictures, and Pixelkino.