CV & AWARDS
HANNU SALONEN
FILM & TELEVISION DIRECTOR
Hannu Salonen is a Finnish-born film and television director working across theatrical features, international series, and high-end television drama.
A graduate of the German Film and Television Academy Berlin, he made his feature debut with Downhill City, starring Franka Potente. The film screened in the Zabaltegi – New Directors section of the San Sebastián International Film Festival and received the European Jury Award at Premiers Plans Angers.
His credits range from historical drama and psychological suspense to crime, satire, and dark comedy. Recent work includes The Rome Eight, Vienna Game, Jennerwein – High Season, I Am Scrooge, Shadowtower, Blindspot, Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood, and Arctic Circle.
SELECTED AWARDS & FESTIVAL RECOGNITION
Selected awards, nominations, and festival recognition for films and series directed by Hannu Salonen. Acting and individual craft honours are credited to their respective recipients.
I AM SCROOGE
Ich bin Dagobert
2026
German Academy for Television – DAfFNE
Winner, Best Makeup Design
Nadia Homri, Vanessa Schneider, Ursel Frank, and Nina Goyert
2025
Shanghai TV Festival – Magnolia Awards
Nominated, Best Foreign TV Film / Miniseries
2025
German Television Award
Winner, Best Production Design
Anke Winckler, Costume Design, and Julian Augustin, Production Design
Nominated, Best Actor
Friedrich Mücke
Nominated, Best Cinematography
Felix Cramer
2025
German Audio Description Award
Winner, Best Series
Audio-description team
SHADOWTOWER
Turmschatten
2026
German Academy for Television – DAfFNE
Winner, Best Supporting Actor
Nico Marischka
BLINDSPOT
2024
German Television Award
Nominated, Best TV Movie / Multi-Part Film
THE REBEL
Der Rebell – Von Leimen nach Wimbledon
2022
TeleVisionale
Official Competition Selection, German Television Film Award
Selected for the 3sat Audience Award
OKTOBERFEST: BEER & BLOOD
Oktoberfest 1900
2021
German Television Award
Winner, Best Multi-Part Series
SHADES OF GUILT
Schuld nach Ferdinand von Schirach – “Volksfest”
2016
New York Festivals
Silver World Medal, Miniseries
CRIME STORIES BY FERDINAND VON SCHIRACH
Verbrechen nach Ferdinand von Schirach
2014
Grimme Award
Nominated, Series & Miniseries
2013
Metropolis – German Directors Award
Hannu Salonen nominated for Best Director, Television Series
Episode: “Fähner”
DOWNHILL CITY
2001
RTP Prize, Portugal
Winner
2000
Premiers Plans Angers
Winner, European Jury Award
Best European Debut Film
2000
Max Ophüls Prize
Competition Selection
1999
San Sebastián International Film Festival
Official Selection, Zabaltegi – New Directors