Fred Kelemen

Fred Kelemen was born in West Berlin, Germany, where he cultivated a diverse artistic background through studies in painting, music, philosophy, religious studies, and drama. His early career included roles as a director’s assistant in various theaters, which laid the groundwork for his passion for film. Kelemen honed his skills in directing and cinematography at the German Film & TV Academy Berlin (dffb) from 1989 to 1994, ultimately graduating with diplomas in both fields.

His diploma film, “Fate,” earned him the prestigious German National Film Award in 1995, marking the beginning of his professional film career. Over the years, Kelemen has directed several films and videos, showcasing his unique vision and storytelling abilities. He has also collaborated as a cinematographer with renowned directors, including Joseph Pitchhadze on “Sweets” (Israel, 2013) and Béla Tarr on multiple projects, such as “Journey to the Plain” (Hungary, 1995), “The Man from London” (Hungary/France/Germany, 2007), and “The Turin Horse” (Hungary/France/USA/Germany, 2011). Additionally, he worked with Rudolf Thome on “The Visible and the Invisible” (Germany, 2006) and Gariné Torossian on “Stone, Time, Touch” (Canada/Armenia, 2005), further solidifying his reputation in the film industry.