I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator who loves exploring human idiosyncrasies and guiding others through the creative process. I travel widely, collaborate with partners across Europe, and strive to blend traditional and digital techniques to tell meaningful, human-centered stories. From running a Berlin-based production company to teaching at film schools and mentoring aspiring filmmakers, I aim to inspire curiosity, laughter, and empathy through documentary storytelling and collaborative learning. I’m an optimist who believes every story has the power to connect people and spark positive change.…

Rick Minnich

I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator who loves exploring human idiosyncrasies and guiding others through the creative process. I travel widely, collaborate with partners across Europe, and strive to blend traditional and digital techniques to tell meaningful, human-centered stories. From running a Berlin-based production company to teaching at film schools and mentoring aspiring filmmakers, I aim to inspire curiosity, laughter, and empathy through documentary storytelling and collaborative learning. I’m an optimist who believes every story has the power to connect people and spark positive change.…

Available to hire

I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator who loves exploring human idiosyncrasies and guiding others through the creative process. I travel widely, collaborate with partners across Europe, and strive to blend traditional and digital techniques to tell meaningful, human-centered stories.

From running a Berlin-based production company to teaching at film schools and mentoring aspiring filmmakers, I aim to inspire curiosity, laughter, and empathy through documentary storytelling and collaborative learning. I’m an optimist who believes every story has the power to connect people and spark positive change.

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Language

English
Fluent
German
Fluent
French
Beginner
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner
Russian
Beginner

Work Experience

Member at Deutsche Filmakademie e.V.
January 1, 2024 - Present
Member of the documentary section of the German Film Academy.
Owner at Our Man in Berlin (formerly Rick films)
January 1, 2001 - Present
Own and operate a small media production company. Produce web videos and documentaries, often in cooperation with other production companies and public broadcasters and film funds in Germany and throughout Europe.
Tutor at Bunt Stiftung Bildung und integrative Arbeit gGmbH
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led a year-long video workshop for migrants from Ukraine and Turkey culminating in a 20-minute group film.
Tutor at Wave Akademie für digitale Medien
January 1, 2022 - Present
Tutor for documentary, fiction, and production modules in the film program.
Factual tutor at MET Film School Berlin
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2022
Factual tutor for a variety of courses ranging from 8-week intensive documentary courses to the BA program and MA Documentary program.
Documentary Filmmaker in Residence at Robert Morris University
September 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Taught an undergraduate documentary course, hosted a weekly campus film series, gave guest lectures in other classes and departments, and worked on personal film projects.
Tutor/Dean at Sabah Film Academy
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2016
Documentary tutor during the two-week summer workshop with Malaysian filmmakers; Director and Dean of Studies in 2015.
Tutor at Docstories Black Sea workshop
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Director/Tutor during workshop in Sibiu, Romania.
Director at SAT.1 (German TV)
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Directed the 30-part series of 3-minute films “So gesehen” about religious issues in contemporary society.
Writer / Director at Deutsche Welle (German TV)
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1995
Created 30-second trailers for 45-minute documentaries. Wrote the voice-over texts, directed the speakers, selected music, and supervised the editing.

Education

Diploma (MFA equivalent) Directing for Film & Television at Film University Babelsberg “Konrad Wolf”
October 4, 1995 - September 5, 2001
MFA candidate Live Action Film at CalArts
January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1992
B.A. English at Columbia University
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1990
Semester abroad at Institute for European Studies, Vienna
January 1, 1989 - May 3, 1989

Qualifications

DAAD grant in Berlin
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1993
Writer’s grant, Schloss Wiepersdorf
May 1, 1995 - July 31, 1995
Wrote a screenplay, an opera libretto, and a short story.
Artist residency at the Villa Aurora
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Developed my feature documentary "Forgetting Dad"

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services
    paper XPRIZE CARBON REMOVAL COMPETITION

    Short portrait of the German companies Landwärme and Reverion and the carbon capture technology they are developing. Commissioned by the XPRIZE Foundation as part of the $100 million XPRIZE Carbon Capture competition.

    paper Mite Cheese, An Unusual Delicacy From Germany

    Short commissioned piece about the delicacy mite cheese and the man who is keeping the centuries-old tradition alive in Germany.

    paper We Are Here - A group of friends deliver personalized aid to the people of Ukraine

    Rick travels to Odessa with three members of the Berlin Odessa Express to deliver much-needed medical supplies to their Ukrainian charity partners, local hospitals, pharmacies. The Berlin-based humanitarian aid organisation Berlin Odessa Express was one of the first organisations to deliver aid to Ukraine during the first weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They provide aid packages hand-tailored to the exact needs of their local partners with great efficiency and tender loving care.
    Learn more about the Berlin Odessa Express and how you can support their efforts.

    This is Rick’s second collaboration with Israeli filmmaker Guy Dimenstein and the Meet the Good Ones team. Every two weeks, Guy and his team publish a new short video about people who are doing good in the world. Subscribe to their YouTube channel and get inspired by these heartwarming tales of people who are dedicating their lives to solving the world’s problems.

    “We Are Here” was nominated for the Smiley Charity Film Awards and the Geographical Better World Video Awards.

    paper SCIENCE OPEN - DR. SEBASTIAN ALERS

    Introductory video of biochemist and editor Dr. Sebastian Alers from the research and publishing network ScienceOpen .