BENJAMIN CÖLLE

AUDIENCE DESIGN CONSULTANT & TRAINER

 

 

I have been practicing Audience Design as a consultant and trainer since 2014 for film and series projects, as well as institutions and companies, mostly but not exclusively within the international film industry. Over the years, I have developed my own specific approach to Audience Design: I support creative teams in identifying a cohesive vision for their projects while exploring their unique story, audience, and strategy. This approach enables them to more effectively reach and engage their audiences while creating a rewarding professional experience.

 

I am dedicated to global art cinema that resonates with audiences and contributes to more diverse and inclusive societies. My academic background  includes cultural studies, political science, and African studies at Humboldt University Berlin (2003-2010), as well as Visual Culture at Goldsmiths, University of London (2009/10).

 

My professional life in the international film industry began as a production assistant to Helge Albers and Roshanak Behesht Nedjad at their company Flying Moon (2010), and continued at INDI FILM in Stuttgart/Berlin, where I worked as a creative producer and author for award-winning film and cross-media projects (2010–2017).

 

In 2014, I trained as an Audience Designer at TorinoFilmLab under Lena Thiele and Valeria Richter. Since then, I have worked as an Audience Design consultant and trainer, having consulted on over 50 projects—independently and through institutions including TorinoFilmLab, World Cinema Fund, and BrLab, among others.

 

Following my time as a film and cross-media producer at INDI FILM, I worked as a university lecturer and researcher in film production and distribution at Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF (2015–2023). As a result of my research practice there, I am currently completing my practice-based PhD project on Audience Design, expected for publication in 2026.

 

As my professional and academic focus evolved from film production toward distribution, my wife and I seized the opportunity to acquire the established world sales agency Pluto Film Distribution Network in 2022, which we have operated as managing partners since. I continue practicing Audience Design both within Pluto Film and as an independent consultant.

 

I’m looking forward to collaborate with you, so please feel free to contact me.