Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is a German film director, best known for writing and directing the 2007 Oscar-winning film, The Lives of Others. His first short film, Dobermann (which Donnersmarck wrote, produced, directed and edited) broke the school record for the number of awards won by a student production. It became an international festival sensation, and Donnersmarck travelled the festival circuit for over a year.