Born and raised at the picturesque Medieval Castle of Doorwerth in the Netherlands, Stephan Brenninkmeijer grew up in rural Dutch cities before he studied at the Dutch Film Academy in Amsterdam.

After graduating in 1992 with his short film "Rerun" his first project as editor was the much acclaimed TV-series "Called at the bar" (Pleidooi), which won the Nipkow disc and the Dutch Golden Calf award in 1993. As an editor he worked with directors such as the Academy Award winner Mike van Diem, Willem van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Maarten Treurniet and many others. Both as editor and director he was one of the creative pillars of the successful TV series "Westenwind" in 1999. It won the prestigious Golden Televizier ring award.

In 2001, Brenninkmeijer won a Golden Crown Award at the Atlanta ICVM Festival for Best International Film for his directorial feature-debut: "The silence of the soul" (De stilte van het naderen).

In 2003 his first theatrical feature "Swingers" was picked up by A-Film Distributors (The Lord of the Rings). It stirred up some controversy but garnered critical acclaim. Especially in Germany the film scored big on ZDF television with an audience close to 3 million and with multiple reruns.

Through the years he directed several successful television series, corporate and short films and he started coaching young talent. In 2011, his second theatrical feature "Caged" was released and sold internationally (A-Film Benelux, Busch Media, Anderson-Digital).

In 2012 Brenninkmeijer was part of the highly anticipated user generated film project "Entertainment Experience", helmed by famed Dutch director Paul Verhoeven. Brenninkmeijer directed his version "Counterparts" (Lotgenoten) and in contrast to Verhoeven's "Tricked" (Steekspel), had an official theatrical release in the Netherlands.
The project won the International Emmy Award in 2013.

In 2017 Brenninkmeijer wins "Best Picture" and "Best director" with his short "Resolve" at the 48 hour film film project Eindhoven.

In 2018 Hewlett Packard orders the short "Sh!ft" which premiers at the Cannes Film festival, Masters of Short segment.

In 2022 Brenninkmeijer wins "Best Director" for his short "Burden" at the Mannheim Arts and Film Festival in Germany.

Brenninkmeijer specialises in drama and thrillers with an emphasis on strong female leading roles.

• 2020 Interview

• 2018 Kemna Casting Scandal

  Volkskrant 11-11-2017

  'Had this been happening in the contracting world, there would be official complaints about cartel formation, and Neelie Kroes would be on your doorstep,' says director and producer Stephan Brenninkmeijer. "But apparently in the acting world everyone accepts this."

• 2018 Red Carpet Cannes

• 2013 Premiere Lotgenoten

• 2011 Films&Sterren Caged

• 2003 Barend en van Dorp