Sebastian Ottenstein is a Danish freelance documentary filmmaker working primarily with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. He won the AIB Award in 2016 in the Specialist category for “It Ends with Murder – The Body in the Freezer” and was nominated again in 2024 in the Arts, Culture, History category for “How to Make Your Dreams Come True – The Curious Story of Miho Hazama”.

Sebastian both directs, films and edits his own work. His focus is on music, arts, culture, and people – often combining these elements to tell personal, character-driven stories.

His projects are typically long in the making, developed over extended periods with great attention to detail. Working alone allows him to stay close to his subjects and shape the narrative precisely. His films are tightly crafted and rhythmically driven, using sound, music and editing with the same care as the visuals. The result is often a dense and carefully composed final product, cinematic in style and rich in texture.

As a judge, Sebastian brings a strong visual sense, a deep understanding of storytelling structure, and experience in long-form, emotionally layered documentary work. He has a sharp eye for authenticity and a clear instinct for when form and content truly support each other.