Katharina Otto-Bernstein

Early Life and Education

Katharina Otto-Bernstein was born in Hamburg, Germany, as the fourth child of entrepreneur Werner Otto and Maren Stücken. She attended St. Clare's Hall in Oxford, England, before earning a bachelor's degree and an MFA in Film from Columbia University.

Rise to Success

Otto-Bernstein began her career in the film industry while still a student, working on a documentary film. She then wrote and directed "The Need for Speed" (1993), a film about bicycle messengers in New York City, which helped launch her career. She founded Film Manufacturers Inc. in 1993, an international production company. Some of her most recognized work includes the documentaries "The Price of Everything" (2018), "Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures" (2016), and the film "Joyland" (2023).

Key Business Strategies

Otto-Bernstein has been involved in the real estate industry through her inherited stake in the Otto Group, including ECE, a commercial real estate company focused on shopping centers. She has been a board member of Paramount Group Inc. and is a shareholder of ECE, the family's commercial real estate company focused on shopping centers.

Philanthropy

Otto-Bernstein serves as the chair of the Columbia University School of the Arts Dean's Council. She created the Katharina Otto-Bernstein Thesis Mentorship Program in 2014 to help young filmmakers launch successful careers. The program provides mentorship and resources to students, with the goal of creating a platform for collaboration and support within the film industry.