Dirk van den Berg

Dirk is an internationally experienced producer for feature and television films. With a proven track-record as a trouble-shooter in many occasions - i.e. co-production issues, filming or permission problems - he is specialized in implementing difficult projects in risky territories. He has worked in Syria, Jordan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kashmir, Ethiopia and other Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries. He graduated as a director in 1991 at the Italian National Academy of Drama “Silvio D’Amico” of Rome, a year later he finished his studies of Music and Cinema at the Rome University. After this, he hurled himself into the real world of film production. Since then, he wrote and directed feature films, television and documentaries, while participating in many international productions as a line-, associate- and executive producer. In 2006, Dirk left Italy due to the unbearable situation of cultural decline in the country. He worked as a creative producer first at the Munich- and London-based production company K5 Film, than with LOOKS Film & TV for the THE GREAT WAR DIARY, a multiple episode landmark television series about World War I. Today, he is a freelance producer, director and writer and often works as a consultant on mostly international projects. In 2010, Dirk founded OutreMer Film, combining his international standing with the professional experience of his partner, seasoned producer and content-developer Herbert Gehr. The company\'s newest project is a feature documentary focused on legendary Ethiopian jazz musician Teshome Mitiku, who is planning to return to his home country after 43 years of exile (see the video / project teaser below). Paraphrasing his maestro Andrea Camilleri’s thought that \"directing in the first place means organizing chaos”, Dirk firmly believes that film production overall is a synthesis of creative and organizational skills, paired by professional experience and the love of life.