Martin L. Ludwig developed a love for film and cinematography at a very early age in his life. During his school years, Ludwig shot numerous short films, music videos, and visual experiments on various formats. He worked for different film productions, gaining experience in both camera and light departments.
Ludwig then pursued his studies in cinematography at the prestigious Film Academy Baden-Württemberg, where he honed his technical skills and developed his unique artistic vision.
For the "The Decision" (directed by Nicolas Bori), he received a Shark Award for Best New Dop and he was honored for Best Student Cinematography at the 2020 New York Festivals Advertising Awards. The Decision won Gold for Outstanding Cinematography at the Cresta Awards in the same year.
In 2023, Ludwig shot the film "Ich bin! Margot Friedländer" (directed by Raymond Ley), which was nominated for the Grimme Prize 2024 and the Civis Media Prize.
He has an ability to use light to enhance the mood and atmosphere of a film. His work often involves experimenting with different lighting techniques, using unconventional camera angles, and playing with color to create visuals that helps the audience transport into the story.
Ludwig's approach to cinematography is collaborative, and he works closely with directors and actors to bring their vision to life on the screen. He understands that every project is unique, and he adapts his style to fit the needs of each film. Today he is based in Berlin and available for projects worldwide.
awards
ICH BIN! MAGOT FRIELÄNDER
NOMINEE – Grimmepreis
NOMINEE – Civis Medienpreis
THE DECISION
WINNER - Best Cinematography | New York Festivals Advertising Awards
GOLD - Best New Director | Shark Awards Kinsale
GOLD - Best New DoP | Shark Awards Kinsale
GOLD - Outstanding Cinematography | Cresta Awards
GOLD & "Best In Show" | Andy Awards
GOLD - The One Club | ADC Young Ones
NOMINEE - Best Cinematography | Berlin Commercial
NOMINEE | Deutscher Werbefilmpreis
NOMINEE | AICP Awards
ZOROS SOLO
WINNER - Bernhard Wicki Preis | Filmfest Emden - Nprderney
WINNER - NDR Nachwuchspreis | Filmfest Emden - Norderney
WINNER - Drehbuch | Bayrischer Filmpreis
WINNER - Best Feature | Georg Sidney Indy Film Awards | San Luis Obispo Film Festival
WINNER - Best Feature | Johnson City Film Fest
narrative
TATORT - AUS DEM BLICK (AT) | tv feature | ARD | 2024 | D: Franziska Magarete Hoenisch
LIEBLING KREUZBERG 2.0 | tv feature | ARD | 2024 | D: Franziska Magarete Hoenisch
ICH BIN! MARGOT FRIEDLÄNDER | tv feature | ZDF | 2023 | D: Raymond Ley
TWO SIDES OF THE ABYSS | mini series | HBO max, RTL+ | 2022 | D: Anno Saul
DECISION GAME | mini series | ZDF neo | 2022 | D: Benjamin Pfohl
DIE WELT STEHT STILL | tv feature | ZDF | 2021 | D: Anno Saul
MAZUREN KRIMI 2 - FANGSCHUSS | tv feature | ARD | 2021 | D: Anno Saul
MAZUREN KRIMI 1 - FRYDERYKS ERBE | tv feature | ARD | 2021 | D: Anno Saul
DER HARTE BROCKER - DIE FÄLSCHERIN | tv feature | ARD | 2020 | D: Anno Saul
RAMPENSAU - SEASON 1 - EPISODES 8, 9, 10 | series | VOX | 2019 | D: Florian Knittel
ZOROS SOLO | cinema | 2019 | D: Martin Busker
commercials & music videos
PARI ESKANDARI - CHADOR (FALSE IDOLS) | music video | D: NIKOLAS MEYBERG
FERRERO KÜSSCHEN | commercial | D: Henry Mason
THE DECISION | social spot | D: Nicolas Bori
EMMY - CARING IS SHARING | spec | D: Zornitsa Dimitrova
MANNY MARC - SUPER CLOWN | music video | D: Holger Frick
DJANGO 3000 - ENGL & GEIER | music video | D: Julius Grimm
SCOFF - TEMPER THE GOAT | music video | D: Marc Steck
shorts
EIGENBEDARF | short feature | D: Julius Grimm
CATARSIS | mini series testimonial | D: Sascha Vredenburg
UNTER STROM | short feature | D: Clemens Roth
ON YOUR WAY | short feature | D: Thomas Sali
HAMDULLAH | mini series testimonial | D: Gabriel Borgetto
FRENCH FRIES | short feature | D: Luzie Loose
MARDER | short feature | D: Sebastian Hilger
PIETÁ | short feature | D: Nicolas Ehret