BrennFilm 2.96

BrennFilm is a Dutch film production company founded by Stephan Brenninkmeijer.

Born and raised at the picturesque Medieval Castle of Doorwerth in the Netherlands, Stephan Brenninkmeijer grew up in rural Dutch cities before he studied at the Dutch Film Academy in Amsterdam.

Specializing in drama and thrillers, his first project after graduating was the much acclaimed TV-series "Pleidooi" (1993), which won the Nipkow disc and the Dutch Golden Calf award. As an editor he worked with directors such as the Academy Award® winner Mike van Diem, Willem van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Maarten Treurniet and many others.

Both as editor and director he was one of the creative pillars of the successful TV series "Westenwind" (1999). It won the prestigious Golden Televizier ring award.

In 2001, Brenninkmeijer won a Golden Crown Award at the Atlanta ICVM Festival for Best International Film for his directorial feature-debut: "De stilte van het naderen" (2000).

His first theatrical feature "Swingers" (2003) was picked up by A-Film Distributors (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)). It stirred up some controversy but garnered critical acclaim. Especially in Germany the film scored big on ZDF television with an audience close to 3 million and with multiple reruns.

Through the years he directed several successful television series, corporate films and he started coaching young talent.

In 2011, his second theatrical feature "Caged" (2011) was released and sold to the US (Anderson-Digital).

In 2012 Brenninkmeijer was part of the highly anticipated user generated film project "Entertainment Experience", helmed by famed Dutch director Paul Verhoeven. Brenninkmeijer directed his counterpart "Lotgenoten" (2013) and in contrast to Verhoeven's "Steekspel" (Tricked), "Lotgenoten" had an official theatrical release in the Netherlands. The project won the International Emmy Award® 2013.