Irja von Bernstorff
From 2006 to 2016 Irja von Bernstorff worked for the German documentary production fechnerMEDIA. In 2013 she moved to Bhutan where she was the first foreigner to direct a 25-episode series for Bhutanese Broadcasting Service. The feature-length documentary "The Farmer and I" reflects her personal experience in Bhutan, premiered 2016 on the Max-Ophüls Film Festival and had a theatrical release in German cinemas. It won Best Documentary Film on the Polish International Film Festival and on the Hollywood International Independent Film Festival. Since 2016 she has produced and directed several portraits on children in challenging situations for the format „Schau in meine Welt“ aired on KIKA/SWR. Her portrait about child Labour in Bangladesh was awarded one of the 10 best children film productions in 2018/2019 by German National Broadcaster. Irja produced and directed a film called „Bhutan – Change in the Happy Kingdom“ which had over 22 Mio. views on Deutsche Welle YT channel. 2020 she produced and directed a mini-series 4 x 25 min. and an international feature-length documentary "GIRLS FOR FUTURE" on four girls who are environmental activists, fighting to save their homes and communities available on Deutsche Welle YT channel in Hindi, English, Spanish under the title of “Four girls with one mission”. The film premiered in 2021 internationally on the Zlin Film Festival in Czech Republic and won several prestigious awards especially for young audiences like the Unicef Special Price, Prix Jeunesse, Best World Documentary from Harlem Film Festival and Girl Empowerment Award from the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.
