Valeska Grisebach studied Philosophy and German Studies in Berlin, Munich and Vienna. In 1993 she began studying to be a director at the Viennese Film Academy under Peter Patzak, Wolfgang Glück and Michael Haneke. Her graduation film "Mein Stern" ("Be my Star", 2000/01) was nominated for the Adolf-Grimme-Award in 2002 and received the Critics’ Award at the Toronto International Film Festival as well as the Grand Jury Award at the Turin Film Festival. Her second feature film, "Sehnsucht" ("Longing", 2004-06) premiered in 2006 in the Berlinale Competition. The film received several awards, including the Special Jury Award in Buenos Aires, the Grand Prix Asturias at the Gijón International Film Festival and the Special Jury Award at the Warsaw International Film Festival. "Western" is her third feature film and had its premiere at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival 2017.

Source: German Films Service & Marketing GmbH