John Hoernschemeyer
- Producer
- Writer
- Script and Continuity Department
Based in Germany, John is Co-Managing Partner of the Bavarian production company Penned Pictures GmbH, and a partner of the Frankfurt-based animation company, White Spot Films GmbH. A writer and producer of features, series, and documentaries, he began his involvement in the film industry by producing a number of shorts, including the award-winning drama, "Fragile Storm", starring Lance Henriksen, before venturing into the production of features and creating Penned Pictures.
Founded in 2018, Penned Pictures develops, packages and produces European and International projects for global theatrical, television, and digital-delivery markets. Recent projects include the feature film, "Leberhaken" that had its World Premiere as the opening night film at the 28th Oldenburg International Film Festival in September 2021, and that is now a Paramount+ Original in Germany. Other current projects include "In a Heartbeat", the authorised biopic of Chris Norman, lead singer of the 80s band "Smokie", and the TV series "Villa Aurora" with Malcolm McDowell and Deborah Kara Unger.
The company also develops, produces and distributes documentary films via its "Docs Best Friend" label, including titles such as "There's a Hole in My Bucket", narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, involving Oscar winning director, Peter Jackson, John Rhys-Davies and Billy Boyd, "Woolf Women" that was part of the official selection of the 2020 Raindance Film Festival in London, and the award-winning documentary "My Way" that received the highest film rating of 'Prädikat besonders wertvoll' (Outstandingly valuable) from the German Film and Media Rating organisation 'Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung' in 2021.
In 2021, along with Jan Bonath, Vice-Chairman of the German Film & TV Producers' Alliance, and Chairman of the Animation Section, Penned Pictures created a new company, "White Spot Films", dedicated to the production of animation films.
Another of John's interests, the exploration of innovative story formats and cross-media technologies, resulted in the development of the German/US transmedia mystery series 'Lostfriesland'. Destined for the mobile generation, it explores interactive storytelling through the use of multiple media platforms, and VR technologies, immersing the audience in the story. The unique concept aroused such interest in Germany that the German TV channel NDR filmed the 'making of' the proof of concept teaser.
Founded in 2018, Penned Pictures develops, packages and produces European and International projects for global theatrical, television, and digital-delivery markets. Recent projects include the feature film, "Leberhaken" that had its World Premiere as the opening night film at the 28th Oldenburg International Film Festival in September 2021, and that is now a Paramount+ Original in Germany. Other current projects include "In a Heartbeat", the authorised biopic of Chris Norman, lead singer of the 80s band "Smokie", and the TV series "Villa Aurora" with Malcolm McDowell and Deborah Kara Unger.
The company also develops, produces and distributes documentary films via its "Docs Best Friend" label, including titles such as "There's a Hole in My Bucket", narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, involving Oscar winning director, Peter Jackson, John Rhys-Davies and Billy Boyd, "Woolf Women" that was part of the official selection of the 2020 Raindance Film Festival in London, and the award-winning documentary "My Way" that received the highest film rating of 'Prädikat besonders wertvoll' (Outstandingly valuable) from the German Film and Media Rating organisation 'Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung' in 2021.
In 2021, along with Jan Bonath, Vice-Chairman of the German Film & TV Producers' Alliance, and Chairman of the Animation Section, Penned Pictures created a new company, "White Spot Films", dedicated to the production of animation films.
Another of John's interests, the exploration of innovative story formats and cross-media technologies, resulted in the development of the German/US transmedia mystery series 'Lostfriesland'. Destined for the mobile generation, it explores interactive storytelling through the use of multiple media platforms, and VR technologies, immersing the audience in the story. The unique concept aroused such interest in Germany that the German TV channel NDR filmed the 'making of' the proof of concept teaser.