Christian Mertens

Christian Mertens is a Senior Lecturer at Kiel University of Applied Sciences, specializing in film directing, dramaturgy, and screenwriting. His professional practice spans documentaries for broadcasters like NDR and MDR, television/cinema advertisements, and music videos for artists including Niels Frevert and Gisbert zu Knyphausen.

His creative research centers on dramaturgical frameworks for scenic, documentary, and experimental short films, emphasizing narrative construction, character development, and interview techniques. He bridges theoretical concepts with practical filmmaking across diverse audiovisual formats.

Mertens' scholarly contributions focus on screenwriting methodology, exemplified by his 2016 book which systematizes screenplay development processes. His work analyzes structural coherence and storytelling efficacy in cinematic narratives.

He has received significant industry recognition:

• Schleswig-Holstein Film Award for 'Die andere Seite'
• Schleswig-Holstein Film Award for 'Baukran'
• Artist scholarship from the state of Schleswig-Holstein (2020)

Mertens actively shapes emerging talent through seminars, workshops, and management of the Schleswig-Holstein Screenwriting Award. He has curated the annual music video evening since 2011, providing critical exposure for new directors and artists.