Director and screenwriter. Born 9 November 1948, Denmark. Trained as a cinematographer and photographer in Stockholm before attending the National Film School of Denmark, from where he graduated in cinematography in 1973.
August's international breakthrough came with 'Pelle the Conqueror' (1987), which received the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 1988 and an Oscar and a Golden Globe in 1989. August received his second Palme d'Or in 1992 for the Swedish production 'The Best Intentions' (1992), written by Ingmar Bergman.
August directed three award-winning films for children and youth in the '80s: 'Zappa' (1983), 'The World of Buster' (1984) and 'Twist and Shout' (1984).
Since the early '90s August has directed a string of big international co-productions, including 'The House of the Spirits', 'Smilla's Sense of Snow', 'Les Misérables', 'Return to Sender', 'Goodbye Bafana' and 'Night Train to Lisbon'. 'Goodbye Bafana' won the Peace Film Award at the Berlinale.
Apart from his numerous film awards Bille August has been honored for his work as a film director with both the Danish and the Swedish Royal Order of Chivalry and the French order Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres.
August made his first Danish-produced film in 25 years with 'Marie Krøyer' (2012). With 'Silent Heart' (2014) the director won a Danish Bodil Award for best Danish feature.
August's international breakthrough came with 'Pelle the Conqueror' (1987), which received the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 1988 and an Oscar and a Golden Globe in 1989. August received his second Palme d'Or in 1992 for the Swedish production 'The Best Intentions' (1992), written by Ingmar Bergman.
August directed three award-winning films for children and youth in the '80s: 'Zappa' (1983), 'The World of Buster' (1984) and 'Twist and Shout' (1984).
Since the early '90s August has directed a string of big international co-productions, including 'The House of the Spirits', 'Smilla's Sense of Snow', 'Les Misérables', 'Return to Sender', 'Goodbye Bafana' and 'Night Train to Lisbon'. 'Goodbye Bafana' won the Peace Film Award at the Berlinale.
Apart from his numerous film awards Bille August has been honored for his work as a film director with both the Danish and the Swedish Royal Order of Chivalry and the French order Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres.
August made his first Danish-produced film in 25 years with 'Marie Krøyer' (2012). With 'Silent Heart' (2014) the director won a Danish Bodil Award for best Danish feature.
| Title | Year | Function | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le comte de Monte-Cristo | 2024 | Direction | TV series |
| The Kiss | 2023 | Direction, Screenplay, Director | DK/Feature |
| The Pact | 2021 | Direction | DK/Feature |
| Lykke-Per | 2019 | Direction | TV series |
| A Fortunate Man | 2018 | Direction, Screenplay | DK/Feature |
| 55 Steps | 2017 | Direction | Feature |
| Feng huo fang fei | 2017 | Direction | Feature |
| Silent Heart | 2014 | Direction | DK/Feature |
| Night Train to Lisbon | 2013 | Direction | Feature |
| Marie Kroyer | 2012 | Direction | DK/Feature |
| Goodbye Bafana | 2007 | Direction | Feature |
| Return to Sender | 2005 | Direction | DK/Feature |
| Clown | 2005 | Bille | TV series |
| En sång för Martin | 2001 | Direction, Script, Production | DK/Feature |
| Et mælkebøttebarn | 1999 | Sig selv | TV documentary |
| Adventures of Young Indiana Jones | 1999 | Direction | TV series |
| Les misérables | 1998 | Direction | Feature |
| Smilla's feeling for snow | 1997 | Direction | Feature |
| Jerusalem | 1996 | Direction, Script | Feature |
| The house of the spirits | 1993 | Direction, Script | Feature |
| The Best Intentions | 1992 | Direction | Feature |
| Pelle the Conqueror | 1987 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| The World of Buster | 1984 | Direction | DK/Feature |
| Twist and Shout | 1984 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| Zappa | 1983 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| Maj | 1982 | Direction, Script | TV film |
| Sova räv | 1982 | Cinematography | TV film |
| Guldhjertet | 1981 | Direction | DK/Short fiction |
| Gräset sjunger | 1981 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Killing Heat | 1981 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Verden er så stor, så stor | 1980 | Direction, Script | TV film |
| Tomas, a child out of reach | 1980 | Cinematography | DK/Documentary |
| Love | 1980 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Honning måne | 1978 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| Et par dage med Magnus | 1978 | Direction | TV series |
| Hemåt i natten | 1977 | Cinematography | Feature |
| Christiania | 1977 | Cinematographer | DK/Documentary |
| Kim G. - At the Cycling Track in Ordup | 1976 | Direction, Script, Cinematography, Executive producer | DK/Documentary |
| The time limit is 12 weeks - information about abortion | 1976 | Cinematography | DK/Documentary |
| Ø | 1973 | Cinematography | DK/Short fiction |
| Anomi | 1972 | Cinematography | DK/Experimental |
| Bryd tavsheden | Direction | DK/Commercial |
