Friedemann Hottenbacher was born in Japan. In 1989, he moved to Berlin to study social sciences before beginning his career as a producer for the German bureau of Tokyo Broadcasting System. As a freelance filmmaker, he wrote and directed award-winning documentaries for German and international broadcasters. In 2009, he joined the Berlin-based production company inselfilm as a writer, producer and CEO, where he has since produced numerous internationally acclaimed feature documentaries and feature films.
projects in progress
The Eternal Soldier (archival documentary) - directed by Aleksandar Nikolic, in production; co-producer. Premiere planned for 2027. A poetic exploration of human nature.
Kim (documentary feature) - directed by Chiara Sambuchi, in development; producer. Premiere planned for 2029. Fighting for the release of his imprisoned mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, Kim Aris confronts her complex legacy.
Lost Words (documentary feature) - directed by Martina Priessner, in development; producer. Premiere planned for 2029. Two women confront the enduring legacy of state-imposed silence, eighty years after Nazi Germany.
finished projects
Child's Mother (documentary feature) - Directed by Konrad Schleich, 78 min, Germany, 2026; producer.
World Premiere at DokLeipzig German Competition.
LETTERS FROM THE SILENCED COUNTRY (documentary) - Is a portrait of contemporary Belarus told through stories of individuals who have endured imprisonment, repression, and exile – voices silenced by an autocratic regime.
A documentary feature film by Andrei Kutsila. • World Premiere at Venice Film Festival - Golden Globes Impact Prize for Documentary Winner & EFA Documentary Shortlist.
A Polish-Lithuanian-German co-production.
Produced by Miroslaw Dembinsky, co-produced by Giedrė Žickytė, Friedemann Hottenbacher, Gregor Streiber
Mid Season (documentary) - directed by Tina Tripp, 103 min, Germany, 2022; producer.
Letters from Wolf Street (documentary feature) - directed by Arjun Talwar, 97 min, Poland/Germany, 2025; co-producer.
The Moelln Letters (documentary feature) - directed by Martina Priessner, 96 min, Germany, 2025; producer.
Toro (documentary feature) - directed by Rocco Di Mento, 93 min, Germany/Italy, 2025; producer.
News
new project / LETTERS FROM THE SILENCED COUNTRY / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 24.10.2026
Producer Friedemann Hottenbacher updated bio information - 22.10.2026
Producer Friedemann Hottenbacher updated bio information - 13.10.2026
new project / Lost Words / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
new project / Kim / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
new project / The Eternal Soldier / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
new project / Child's Mother / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
new project / Toro / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
new project / The Moelln Letters / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
new project / Letters from Wolf Street / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
new project / Mid Season / Friedemann Hottenbacher / New project has been added - 13.10.2026
