Biography Björn Jensen

Biography Björn Jensen M.A., MBA

Photo copyright by Ginger Foot Films

Biography:

Consultant, producer, author

Björn Jensen was born 1965 in Hamelin, Germany. He has worked on Dozends of documentary and feature films, many of them award-winning. He holds a Master Degree in German and English Literature (MA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). 2006, he went into business for himself and offers consulting services in the areas of development, financing, production and distribution. With his company Ginger Foot Films he produces and distributes documentary films. He teaches on film schools in Germany and France and since 2010 he is member of the Board of Directors (treasurer) of the German Documentary Association (AG DOK).

Working experience in Europe, Asia, USA, South America

Languages:

German (mother tongue), English (mastery)
French - basic knowledge (A2), Tagalog / Filipino - basic knowledge (A1)

1982-1990: Various trainee programs and jobs for Bavaria Filmstudios, Telenorm Film, Bavarian Television,
SAT1, RTL

1985-1991: Production assistent, production manager, author and director for Allary Film

1986: Film classes at Harper College Chicago, USA

1986-1987: Guest student at University of Television and Film Munich

1987-1990: Studies in German and Medieval German Literature, English Literature and Theatre Studies at
Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Masters of Art (M.A.)

1990-1991: Business consultant with Ludwing & Diebold oHG, MCAD CAD CAM Systeme

1992-1999: Head of production Kick Film GmbH

1999-2006: Vice president and head of production Kick Film GmbH

2000: Certified instructor vocational training (IHK)

2002-2004: Master of Business Administration (International Business)
at University of Southern Queensland, Australia

since 2004:   Lecturer for media MBA, project management, media law, pitching, negotiation skills, accounting
                    and business mathematics at various film schools
                    (i.e. MHMK University for Media and Communication, die Medienakademie, Movie College, etma)

Feb 2007: Founder of Ginger Foot Films (consulting, production, distribution)

since 2010: Member of Board of Directors (treasurer) of AG DOK, German Documentaries

Filmography of Björn Jensen (a selection)

Click on the titles to receive more information about the films. Click on the film projector symbol to watch trailers.

2012
On the Road
Directed by: Marvin Dau, Lukas Schmiedekamp

Produced by: Rolf A.O. Schneider
Production consultant: Björn Jensen
Production: R.A.O.S. Filmproduktion

2012
The Color of Gold
Produced by: Maximilian Plettau
Line Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Nominal Film

2011
Escape from Tibet
Feature Film
Written and directed by: Maria Blumencron
Produced by: Jörg Bundschuh, Markus Fischer
Post-Production Supervisor: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH and Snake Film
Festivals and Awards:
Bozner Filmtage 2012: Audience Award

2011
Wolfgang Rihm. Dionysos. Szenen und Dithyramben. Eine Opernfantasie
Opera Recording
Written and directed by: Bettina Ehrhardt
Producer: Björn Jensen, Joachim Knaf
Produced by: Bettina Ehrhardt
Production: bce films & more GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Filmfest Munich 2011

2011
"I am your Labyrinth!" - Wolfgang Rihm. Nietzsche. Dionysos
Documentary
Written and directed by: Bettina Ehrhardt
Producer: Björn Jensen
Produced by: Bettina Ehrhardt
Production: bce films & more GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Filmfest Munich 2011

2011
The Emergency
Short film
Written and directed by: Stefan Müller
Production Consultant: Björn Jensen
Producer: Stefan Müller
Production: Basement Pictures

2010
Montreal Symphony - Kent Nagano and the
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Documentary
Written and directed by: Bettina Ehrhardt
Camera: Bill Kerrigan
Line Producer: Björn Jensen, Jim Edward, Joachim Knaf
Producer: Bettina Ehrhard, Michel Ouellette
Production: bce films & more GmbH, Cine Qua Non
Festivals and Awards:
FIFA Montreal 2010: Winner Best Canadian Documentary, Filmfest Munich 2010, FBW: Rated Especially Valuable.

Photo: © bce films & more

2010
The First Time
Documentary Series
Directed by: Kirsten Esch
Production Consultant: Björn Jensen
Production: Kaspar Film

2010
Scientists under Attack
Dokumentary
Directed by: Bertram Verhaag
Production Consultant: Björn Jensen
Production: Denkmal Film
Festivals and Awards:
Indie Festival 2010: Best of Show,
Kansas International Filmfestival 2010: Top Ten Films,
ARPA Filmfestival 2010: Journalism Award,
Accolade Award: Best Documentary,
Maverick Movie Awards 2010: Best Feature Documentary & Best Original Score,
The Columbus Institut of Contemporary Journalism Award 2010,
1st Salus Award for Journalism 2011

2009
Strings Attached
Documentary
Directed by: Michel Hermann
Camera: Michael Hermann, Björn Jensen
Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Ginger Foot Films

Photo: © Björn Jensen

2009
Where is who I was and am
Puppet Animation
Written and Directed by: Matthias Bundschuh
DoP: Helmfried Kober
Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Ginger Foot Films
Festivals and awards:
FBW: Rated Valuable, Selection for exhibition "The Art of Puppet Playing" Stadtmuseum Munich 2009, Regensburger Short Film Festival 2010, Kuala Lumpur International Filmfestival 2011, Bristol Festival of Puppetry 2011

Photo: © Björn Jensen

2009
Carajas
Drama
Directed by: Ralf Cabral Tambke
Production Consultant: Björn Jensen
Production: CMP Creative Media Production GmbH,
Prefixe Ltd., Plural Filmes

2008
Hidden Children
Documentary
Directed by: Kirsten Esch
Supervising Producer: Magnus Froböse, Björn Jensen
Production: Kaspar Film

2008
The Unknown
Mystery Thriller
Directed by: Mikhail Pandourski
Production consulting: Björn Jensen
Production: Moving Angel GmbH, Camera Ltd., ROK Station

2008
Mozart in China
Children film
Directed by: Bernd Neuburger
DoP: Thomas Mauch
Postproduction coordination: Franz Hirner, Björn Jensen
Production: Extra Film, Coop99, Kick Film, Kery TV Media Co.
Festivals and Awards:
"Audience Award" FIDEM Montreal, Audience Award Der kleine Star,
FBW: Rated Especially Valuable.

2007
The Real Daktari
Documentary
Directed by: Lara Juliette Sanders
Production Consultant: Björn Jensen
Production: Lombardo Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
International Filmfestival Dijon 2009
2007/08
Under the Ice
Documentary
Directed by: Alix François Meier
DoP: Peter Klotz
Supervising Producer: Magnus Froböse and Björn Jensen
Production: Kaspar Film and Ginger Foot Films
Festivals and Awards:
Kuala Lumpur International Filmfestival 2008: Winner Best Documentary, Guangzhou Documentary Filmfestival 2011: Competition
Photo: © Kaspar Film
2007
Marmorera
Movie
Directed by: Markus Fischer
DoP: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein
Cast: Anatole Taubmann, Mavie Hörbiger, Eva Dewaele
Assistent for the German Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Sakefilm GmbH and Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Malaga Filmfestival 2007: Winner Best Feature Film, Winner Best Photography
Hyperabad International Filmfestival India

2006
Eileen Gray - Invitation to a Voyage
Portrait
Directed by: Jörg Bundschuh
DoP: Roland Wagner
Supervising Producer and Sound: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
FIFA Festival Montreal 2008: Best Portrait

2005
Deutschland versus Deutsch
Documentary
Directed by: Michael Juncker
DoP: Bernd Meiners
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

2005
To Tulsa and Back - On Tour With J.J. Cale
Documentary
Directed by: Jörg Bundschuh
DoP: Roland Wagner
Supervising Producer and Sound: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
IDFA Amsterdam (Reflecting Images) 2005, Hof 2005,
IDFA Flies T(r)opics Festival Suriname 2005, Cracow 2006,
Doc Aviv 2006, Dok Fest Munich 2006, Seattle 2006, Nashville 2006, Bergen 2006

2004
Days and Nights in Paris
Documentary
Directed by: Georg Stefan Troller
DoP: Roland Wagner
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Nominated for Grimme Award

2003
Half of Life
Documentary
Directed by: Mechthild Gassner
DoP: Ralph Leistl
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
„Best Film“ Spectrum junger Film Cologne Conference
Brama Wolnosci Award, Dignity and Work Festival in Danzig

2003
Paradise on Earth
Documentary
Directed by: Hans Madej
DoP: Hans Madej
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Munich Film Festival 2003

2002
I´ ll be Rich and Happy
Documentary
Directed by: Doris Metz
DoP: Sophie Maintigneux
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Nominated for the StarterFilm Award

2002
Martin Heidegger
Portrait
Directed by: Thomas Palzer
DoP: Werner Schmitke
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Winner LiteraVision 2003

2002
Out of Edeka
Movie
Directed by: Konstantin Faigle
DoP: Michael Pfizenmaier, Roland Bauer
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
„Young Lion“ Bavarian Documentary Film Award

2001
Running Amok
Documentary
Directed by: Georg Stefan Troller
DoP: Stefan Schindler
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

2001
Hollywood Profiles: Harvey Keitel
Portrait
Directed by: Michael Althen
DoP: Ralph Leistl
Supervising Producer and Sound: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

2001
Self-Description
TV Movie
Directed by: Georg Stefan Troller
DoP: Bernd Meiners
Cast: Alexander Pschill, Nina Hoss
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

2000
No Mercy
Documentary
Directed by: Andrea Schramm, Jana Matthes
DoP: Bernd Meiners
Technical Supervisor: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Axel Springer Award 2001, Discovery Channel Award 2001

1999
John Lee Hooker - That´s My Story
Documentary
Directed by: Jörg Bundschuh
DoP: Claus Gottschall
Sound: Claudia Katayanagi, Björn Jensen
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Fipatel 2001, Reel Film Festival Portland 2001, Santa Barbara 2001,
San Francisco 2001, Nominated at the Pan African Film Festival
Beverly Hills 2002, Mediawave Györ 2002, Siskel Chicago 2002,
American Film Institute 2002, Miami Jazz Festival 2002,
Sound Unseen Minneapolis 2002, Umea Sweden 2002,
Salzburger Filmfestspiele 2002

1998
Flight into the Jungle
Documentary
Directed by: Michael Juncker
DoP: Bernd Meiners
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
Filmtage Hof 1999

1998
The Haunted Screen
Documentary
Directed by: Peter Buchka
Technical Supervisor: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

1996-2001
Hollywood Profiles:
Lauren Hutton, Isabella Rossellini, John Malkovich,
Kirk Douglas, Andy Garcia, Woody Allen
6 Portraits
Directed by: Georg Stefan Troller
DoP: Claus Gottschall, Stefan Schindler, Bernd Meiners
Technical Supervisor (Hutton): Björn Jensen
Supervising Producer (Rossellini, Malkovich, Douglas,
Garcia, Allen): Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

1996
The Big Day
Movie
Directed by: Jo Baier
DoP: Christian Reitz
Cast: Martina Gedeck, Heio von Stetten, Jörg Hube,
Erna Waßmer, April Hailer
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
"Best Comedy“ Bavarian TV Award

1997
Love in Hollywood
Documentary
Directed by: Georg Stefan Troller
DoP: Bernd Meiners
Supervising Producer: Marianne Beck, Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

1994
Quiet Days in Hollywood
Movie
Directed by: Josef Rusnak
DoP: Dietrich Lohmann
Cast: Hilary Swank, Peter Dobson, Natasha Gregson Wagner,
Bill Cusack, Chad Lowe, Meta Golding, Daryl Mitchell, Steven Mailer
Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

1994
When the Sky Kisses the Mountains
Documentary
Directed by: Pascale Schmidt
DoP: Johann Feindt
Line Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
FSK: outstanding

1994
The Germans
Documentary
Directed by: Georg Stefan Troller
DoP: Claus Gottschall
Line Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

1992-1995
Directors of the New German Cinema:
Percy Adlon, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Edgar Reitz,
Volker Schlöndorff, Margarethe von Trotta, Wim Wenders
6 Portraits
Directed by: Peter Buchka
DoP: Claus Gottschall, Hans Fromm
Sound (Trotta, Wenders): Björn Jensen
Line Producer: Björn Jensen, Jutta Göller
Production: Kick Film GmbH

1992
The Egg is a Shitty Gift of God
Documentary
Directed by: Dagmar Wagner
DoP: Igor Luther
Assistant to the Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH and Horres Film
Festivals and Awards:
Bavarian Film Award, FSK: outstanding

1992
Crime of Passion
Documentary
Directed by: Georg Stefan Troller
DoP: Wolfgang Dickmann
Line Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
FSK: valuable

1992
Child of Time
A Rock-Musical by Martin Keeser
Director Videorecording: Björn Jensen
DoP: Wolfgang Preuss, Jörg Richter
Directed by: Hardy Hoosman

1992
Trip to Tunis
Movie
Directed by: Peter Goedel
DoP: Igor Luther
Cast: David Hunt, Karen Sillas, John Seitz, u.a.
Assistant to the Supervising Producer: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH

1992
Night on Fire
Movie
Directed by: Markus Fischer
DoP: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein
Cast: Bruno Ganz, Barbara Auer, Rolf Hoppe, u.a.
Postproduction Assistant: Björn Jensen
Production: Kick Film GmbH and Boa Film GmbH
Festivals and Awards:
FSK: valuable

1991
The Guilds
Educational Film
Written and directed by: Björn Jensen
DoP: Jörg Widmer
Production: Allary Film, TV & Medien

1985
Faschings-mus
Short Film
Directed by: Mathias Allary
DoP: Mathias Allary
Sound: Björn Jensen
Production: Allary Film, TV & Medien
Festivals and Awards:
Clermont-Ferrant, Vénissiex, Kopenhagen
FSK: valuable
Photo: © Allary Film

1985
A Day Like A Year
Short Film
Directed by: Mathias Allary
DoP: Mathias Allary
Production Manager: Björn Jensen
Production: Allary Film, TV & Medien
Festivals and Awards:
FSK: valuable

1984
Mexico City
Stageplay adaption of Albert Camus and Robin Buss´ novel "The Fall"
Director Videorecording: Björn Jensen
DoP: Wolfgang Preuss, Nikolai von Ertzdorff
Cast: Hardy Hoosman

Photos copyright by: bce films, Ginger Foot Films (2), Kaspar Film (2), Snakefilm GmbH, FWU, Allary Film TV & Media (2)