Emma Branderhorst is a film and commercial director known for her intimate, character-driven storytelling, turning social issues into personal narratives. Much of her work is told from a feminine perspective, featuring powerful and independent female protagonists and offering an authentic and emotionally resonant view of the world around her.
Her short film Spotless (2022) explored the issue of period poverty and received major international recognition, winning the Crystal Bear at Berlinale Generation, the Cinekid Award for Best Short Film, and the Grand Prix at Regard in Canada. All three of her short films, Ma Mère et Moi, Spotless, and Under the Skin, premiered at the Berlinale, and her work has been awarded twice at the Young Director Award in Cannes.
Most recently, she received the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions for A Piece of Me, a film about the risks of online shaming. By telling emotionally resonant stories from a feminine perspective through a naturalistic lens, Emma is currently developing her first feature-length film, which explores the painful unraveling of a once inseparable friendship.