Inga Birkenfeld was born in 1978. From 2001 to 2004., she studied acting at the European Theatre Institute in Berlin. After graduation, she got the lead role in the staging of "Die Zofen" at the Theaterhaus. This was followed by appearances in several short films, including "Mal mehr, mal weniger" by Tim Trachte. In 2005, Birkenfeld co-starred with Nicolette Krebitz, Katharina Schüttler and Laura Tonke in the episodic documentary "Mädchen am Sonntag", in which the four actresses reflect upon their profession.

The following year, she had a small role in Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck"s award-winnig drama "Das Leben der Anderen". She then played the lead in "Trust Wohltat" (2007), a made-for-TV sci-fi drama also starring Florian Panzner and Irm Hermann. She continued to appear in film and television productions, including the thriller "Ich wollte nicht töten" (2007) – which also starred Jessica Schwarz and Hinnerk Schönemann –, the acclaimed coming-of-age drama "Meer is nich" (2008), and Miguel Alexandre"s TV feature film "Kinder des Sturms". She had another leading role in Philipp J. Pamer"s directorial debut "Bergblut", playing a doctor"s daughter who experiences the 1809 Tyrolean peasant uprising.