About

Jakob Stark, born in 1982 in former East Germany, is an internationally acclaimed cinematographer with over 20 years of experience in film production. Based in Berlin, he has worked across fiction, documentary, video art, commercials, and music videos, crafting visually compelling and award-winning films. Stark’s versatility and technical expertise span formats from all digital cameras to 16mm film and high speed camera robot, and he has proven his ability to deliver under extreme conditions, including Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.

Stark studied film in Italy, where he graduated with honors, completing two diploma films that garnered early acclaim. One of his mentors was renowned cinematographer Sophie Maintigneux. His graduation film, Guañape Sur, received widespread recognition, winning Best Cinematography awards at the International Film School Festival Munich, and earning a Golden Frog nomination at Camerimage. Additionally, it was honored at the San Sebastián, IDA, Silverdocs, Monterrey and Sapporo International Film Festivals, winning awards for its outstanding visual storytelling.

At the age of 18, Stark lensed Four Kings, Three Rules, a 90-minute feature that premiered at the Hof International Film Festival. His short film Era Ieri was the opening film of the Venice International Film Critics’ Week, while The Hedgehog’s Dilemma debuted at the Palm Springs Film Festival.

Stark’s career is marked by numerous prestigious awards, including the German Cinematography Award (Deutscher Kamerapreis) in 2023 and the Best Cinematography award at Oscar-qualifying Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (2019). His feature film debut, Dal Profondo, received recognition at the International Film Festival Rome and was featured at prominent festivals such as Turin, IDFA, and Visions du Réel. It also earned a David Di Donatello nomination (2012) and won Best Cinematography at the Al Jazeera Film Festival (2014).

Among Stark’s celebrated works are Demi-Vie à Fukushima, filmed on S16mm in Japan’s Fukushima radioactive no-go zone, and Expedition Arktis, following the MOSAiC Arctic expedition. The latter was featured in the acclaimed documentaries A Year in the Ice: The Arctic Drift which won the Grierson Award (2022), was a finalist for the Jackson Wild Award (2022), and received a Grimme Preis nomination.

• Art Crimes (2022): This six-part, 90-minute documentary series earned Stark the German Cinematography Award (2023).
• Riafn (2019): A creative documentary shot in Italy, which won Oberhausen, Best Cinematography at Oscar-qualifying Rhode Island Film Festival (2019) and the Artistic-Technical Contribution Award at Trento Film Festival.
• Le Dilemme du Porc-ÉPIC (2019): Short Film – Screenings at Palm Springs Short Fest (2019) and Flickerfest Short Film Festival (2021).
• Everywhere We Are (2018): Premiered and awarded at Berlinale.
• Dream Boat (2017): Premiered at Berlinale, this feature-length documentary was nominated for the ARRI Amira Camera Award at DOK.fest Munich.
• Demi-Vie à Fukushima (2016): Winner of multiple awards, including at the Silk Road Film Festival and dokumentART European Film Festival, and screened at Hot Docs and Vision du Réel.
• Dal Profondo (2013): A finalist for the David Di Donatello Award, and winner of Best Cinematography at Al Jazeera Film Festival (2014).
• Guañape Sur (2010): Winner of multiple awards, including Best Cinematography awardes and a Golden Frog nomination at Camerimage. Awards at San Sebastián, IDA, Silverdocs, Monterrey and Sapporo.

In addition to his extensive work in film, Stark has framed commercials for global brands such as Mercedes and Adobe. He has also shot music videos for artists like Ufo361 (Ryu and other) and Kobosil (Full of Fire). Under his label Fire On Air, Stark produces and creates art films that have been showcased at prestigious venues, including the Musée du Louvre.

Jakob Stark’s work is defined by a blend of technical mastery and artistic sensitivity. Whether in fiction, documentary, or experimental formats, he strives to create powerful visual narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. Always open to new challenges, he continues to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.

Jakob Stark is ready for the next big challenges!