Jannis Lenz studied directing at the Vienna Film Academy under Jessica Hausner and worked as an assistant for Michael Haneke. WANNABE won the Prix Clermont-Ferrand and got nominated for the European Film Award, his graduation film SOLDAT AHMET premiered at Visions du Réel, won prizes such as the Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award or theAward of the Austrian Film Institute for Best Upcoming Director and was in cinemas in 2022. Jannis is a Berlinale Talents Alumni and is currently developing his feature film debut FREAKS as part of the Talent Film Program from the Kuratorium junger deutscher Film.