Maren Ade is a highly acclaimed German film director, screenwriter, and producer. She was born on December 12, 1976, in Karlsruhe, Germany, and studied film direction and producing at the University of Television and Film Munich.

Ade started her career in the film industry by directing and producing short films. She gained fame in the German film industry through her feature-length films. Her directorial debut, “The Forest for the Trees,” which she wrote and directed, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003. Her 2009 film, “Everyone Else,” was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her 2016 film “Toni Erdmann” marked her international breakthrough. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize and was the first German film in ten years to be nominated for the Palme d’Or.

Ade is known for her meticulous attention to detail in film production, and she prefers to write her scripts in collaboration with her actors. Her films often explore themes related to human relationships, communication, and life’s purpose.

Besides her contributions as a director and screenwriter, Ade is also a recognized producer. In 2008, she founded her production company, Komplizen Film, which has co-produced several successful films. The company has since worked with directors such as Ulrich Köhler, Valeska Grisebach, and Angela Schanelec.

Maren Ade’s work has received widespread recognition, with accolades such as the European Film Award for Best Screenplay, the German Film Award, and the Bavarian Film Award. She has also served as a jury member at several film festivals and is regarded as one of the leading figures in German cinema.