Orlando von Einsiedel


Orlando von Einsiedel is a British film director. He directs mostly documentary films that investigate global social issues, and has filmed in various places around the world, including Africa, Asia, America and the Arctic. von Einsiedel became known for his award winning film Virunga, produced with the cooperation of Virunga National Park director Prince de Merode.

Early life

Von Einsiedel is the grandson of Wittgo von Einsiedel and Walburga von Obersdorff. His father, Andreas Jean-Paul von Einsiedel, was a photographer. Orlando grew up in Forest Hill, London, UK with his mother, a British music therapist. He attended Alleyn's, an independent school in East Dulwich, London, UK.

University

Von Einsiedel studied social anthropology at the University of Manchester.

Film career

Many of von Einsiedel's documentaries have been screened at some of the world's top film festivals. He directed Virunga, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature, and The White Helmets, which won for Best Documentary. Both nominations were shared with producer Joanna Natasegara. His 2018 film, Evelyn, about his late brother, launched at the London Film Festival and won the for Best Documentary. In 2020, 'Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone ', a film he was an executive producer on, won the Best Documentary.
In 2006, he co-founded Grain Media, a production company based in London.

Snowboard career

Von Einsiedel spent several years as a professional snowboarder, travelling the world promoting the brand names of various sponsors through media engagements, photo/video shoots, and competitions. During this period he was given the nickname 'Jill Dando', due to the rhyme connection between his name and hers.

Selected filmography