River Matzke (they/them) studied cultural studies with a focus on cultural management and aesthetic theory. After working and studying in various countries and working in the literary sector, River studied screenwriting at the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin. Since 2015 River has been involved in various positions in over 10 short films, as a writer, dramaturg and on set. River won the pitch competition "Writers for Europe" and participated in workshops in London (Beaconsfield), Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague. River was also a participant in the Central Europe Feature Project in Prague and Lodz. River has been working for the Berlinale for ten years in various departments and sections. They develop feature films and series with various production companies and streamers, including Rat Pack, Ziegler Film, Basis Berlin and UFA. River was part of the writing team of the second season of "ALL YOU NEED“ for the ARD, the first queer high-end drama in German television. River is also the head writer for a science fiction series by Contrast Film Zürich, in which they are responsible for the world building of a utopia in the year 2080 in collaboration with various experts. River's feature film debut, DRIFTER, recently premiered in Berlinale Panorama 2023, will have a wide cinematic release in Germany in 2023 and will be the closing gala film at BFI Flare 2023. River has been doing anti-discrimination awareness work in renowned Berlin clubs and festivals for many years. They also give keynotes and workshops on the dramaturgical shades of „othering“ as well as an intersectional sensitive and power critical development process, among others also at the Erich Pommer Institut. River lives and works between the film industry and Berlin's subculture. Their heart beats for political genre cinema, melodrama, pop culture and CAMP. River sees themself as an activist and works value-based.

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