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FABIAN RIEKE

CINEMATOGRAPHER & FILMMAKER



Fabian is a freelance cinematographer and filmmaker based in Cologne and Berlin.
A graduate of the European Film College and soon of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, he has filmed projects across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, South Africa, the U.S., and Canada.
His work has been featured at international film festivals around the world.

I'm always seeking collaborations that challenge me to see differently and rethink the way I tell stories through visuals. My aim is to push beyond what I’ve already done—to keep evolving. I gravitate toward a natural use of light and a camera that captures emotion. Every project has its own language, and I enjoy adapting to find the most fresh and authentic way to tell each story.

‘These are the days of miracles and wonder.’



Currently in Postproduction:
CRASHING (2025) - R: Alisa Chunchue
ROT (2025) - R: Beibei Zhang
ZERSPLITTERT (2025) - R: Mattis Schulte
THERE IS A STATUE IN NOCTIS (2026) - R: Yuantian Gao

Filmography on: Crew United


Filmography:

Director, DP: ‘Mir zuliebe’ (2025) Documentary Feature 79’, In Postproduction
DoP: ‘Ammoniak’ (2024) Short 8’, D: Viktoria Gurina, In Postproduction
Gaffer: ‘Der Kölsche Wisch’ (2024) Short 17’, D: Maximilian Sänger
DoP: ‘Echo’ (2024) Short 14’, D: Yuntian Gao
DoP: ‘Wortspiel’ (2024)Short 7’, D: Guram Geguchadze
DoP: ‘Waldseestr.’ (2024) Short 13’, D: Annika Bethan
2nd Unit DP, Main Unit Gaffer: ‘Halja’ (2024) Short 30’, D: Priska Kubelka
DoP: ‘Coming into Light’ (2024) Short 12’, D: João Carvalho
DoP: ‘Der Bär’ (2023) Short 8’, D: Fabian Landes
DoP: ‘Shalaaf’ (2023) Docu-Short 16’, D: Hossam Aljammal
Gaffer: ‘Ein schöner Ort’ (2023) Feature Film 108’, D: Katharina Huba, DP: Jesse Mazuch, Carmen Rivadeneira
Director, DP: ‘Flamingos 5895m N.N.’ (2023) Docu-Short 7’
DoP: ‘Zelt’ (2022) Short 9’, D: Hossam Aljammal
DoP: ‘Maja’ (2022) Short 12’, D: Ruben Sommerfeld
DoP: ‘Kein Signal im Schattental’ (2021) Short 29’, D; Ruben S.
DoP: ‘The End of Originality’ (2021) Short 10’, D: Laura Zayan
DoP: ‘Re:Play’ (2019) Docu-Short 11’, D: Jeehye Kay Jang

Festivals and Awards: 
FiSH Filmfestival im Stadthafen Rostock 2023 OFFshorts Competition
Filmfest Bremen 2023 Official Selection
20MINMAX International Short Film Festival 2023
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festical 2022 Official Selection
DMZ DOCS International Documentary Film Festival 2019
SIWFF Seoul International Women’s Film Festival 2019

CV:
               
2025 - Present: On-set work as Director of Photography

2025: ifs International Film School Cologne - Camera Masterclass with Martin Farkas

2024 - Present: Academy of Media Arts Cologne - Focus on Screenwriting with Prof. Markus Busch, Prof. Franz Müller, Prof. Nicolette Krebitz

2023 - 2025: Director, Producer, Cinematographer, and Editor of the documentary "Mir Zuliebe" (2025, 79') under the supervision of Prof. Alejandro Bachmann, Prof. Patrick Orth, Prof. Oliver Schwabe, Fani Schoinopoulou (BFS)

2022: ifs International Film School Cologne - Camera Masterclass with Yunus Roy Imer

2021 - 2025: On-set work as Lighting Technician & 2nd Assistant Camera

2020 - Present:   Academy of Media Arts Cologne - Diploma in Media Arts with a Major in Cinematography with Prof. Patrick Orth, Prof. Sebastian Richter, Prof. Sophie Maintigneux, Prof. Birgit Gudjonsdottir, Prof. Andreas Köhler, Carina Neubohn, Ernesto Ojeda Sosa

2019 - 2020: Internship at Cinegate Berlin; internships as lighting, grip, and camera assistant

2018 - 2019: European Film College (Graduated 2019)

2017 - Present: Freelance Filmmaker

2016 - 2020: TU Berlin - B.A. in Philosophy

2014 - 2017: 2 years of travel through New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, USA, and Canada; first work as photographer and videographer

2014: High School Diploma, Christian Dietrich Grabbe Gymnasium




Contact: F.rieke(at)khm.de