Heiko Pinkowski

After graduating from high school in 1988 and subsequently dropping out of degree programs in civil engineering, German studies, and philosophy, Heiko Pinkowski worked in various capacities—including as a drafting technician, nursing assistant, welder, truck driver, print prepress specialist, and caregiver for the severely physically disabled.

He has been passionate about the theater since his youth. He performed at KRESCH—the Children's and Youth Theater of the City of Krefeld—and, without ever attending drama school, went on to join the City Theater of Krefeld, the Studiobühne Köln, and the Schiller Theater in Berlin. In 1994, he passed the official professional certification exam for stage actors. This was followed by engagements at the Bauhausbühne in Dessau and, from 1995 to 2001, a permanent position at the State Capital Theater in Magdeburg. In 2001, Heiko Pinkowski moved with his family to Berlin, where he has since worked as a freelance actor and producer—performing on stage as well as working both in front of and behind the camera.

In 2011, Heiko Pinkowski co-founded the film production company *Sehr gute Filme* (Very Good Films) alongside cinematographer Dennis Pauls, producer Anne Baeker, and director Axel Ranisch. The company's first productions were the no-budget feature *Dicke Mädchen* (Heavy Girls) and the children's film *Reuber*—both directed by Axel Ranisch. With *Dicke Mädchen*, Heiko Pinkowski achieved international festival success and garnered numerous awards in his triple role as actor, co-writer, and producer.

Furthermore, at the 2013 Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival, the films *Kohlhaas oder die Verhältnismäßigkeit der Mittel* and *Stufe Drei*—in which he appeared as an actor—won the Audience Awards; the film *Schrotten!* received the same honor in 2016.