扬-奥勒·格斯特，Born in 1978, the director began his film industry career in 2004 with various roles including as assistant to Wolfgang Becker on Good Bye, Lenin!. He then studied directing at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB). His debut feature film A Coffee in Berlin was a breakout international success, screening at over 60 international festivals and winning awards including the German Film Award in Gold and the European Film Award for Best Debut Film. His second feature Lara premiered at Karlovy Vary, where it received awards including the Special Jury Prize, and was nominated for the German Film Award. Islands is his first film in English.