{{short description|German film maker, writer and director (born 1963)}} {{notability|Bio|date=November 2016}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Valentin Thurn | honorific_suffix = | image =Valentin Bild-2heller small.jpg | image_upright = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | pronunciation = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = 1963 | birth_place = Stuttgart, Germany | baptised = <!-- will not display if birth_date is entered --> | disappeared_date = <!-- {{Disappeared date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (disappeared date then birth date) --> | disappeared_place = | disappeared_status = | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (enter DEATH date then BIRTH date (e.g., ...|1967|31|8|1908|28|2}} use both this parameter and |birth_date to display the person's date of birth, date of death, and age at death) --> | death_place = | death_cause = <!--should only be included when the cause of death has significance for the subject's notability--> | body_discovered = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} --> | burial_place = <!-- may be used instead of resting_place and resting_place_coordinates (displays "Burial place" as label) --> | burial_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} --> | monuments = | other_names = | siglum = | citizenship = German | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Filmmaker, writer and director | years_active = | era = | employer = | organization = | agent = <!-- Discouraged in most cases, specifically when promotional, and requiring a reliable source --> | known_for = | notable_works = *Founder of the Thurn Film production company *Founder of food sharing website Foodsharing.de | style = | net_worth = <!-- Net worth should be supported with a citation from a reliable source --> | height = <!-- "X cm", "X m" or "X ft Y in" plus optional reference (conversions are automatic) --> | television = | title = <!-- Formal/awarded/job title. The parameter |office=may be used as an alternative when the label is better rendered as "Office" (e.g. public office or appointments) --> | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | movement = | opponents = | boards = | criminal_charges = <!-- Criminality parameters should be supported with citations from reliable sources --> | criminal_penalty = | criminal_status = | spouse = <!-- Use article title or common name --> | partner = <!-- (unmarried long-term partner) --> | children = | parents = <!-- overrides mother and father parameters --> | mother = <!-- may be used (optionally with father parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) --> | father = <!-- may be used (optionally with mother parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) --> | relatives = | family = | callsign = | awards = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | module = | module2 = | module3 = | module4 = | module5 = | module6 = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | footnotes = }}
'''Valentin Thurn''' (born 1963, Stuttgart, Germany) is a German film maker, writer and director. He created the 2010 documentary ''Taste the Waste''.<ref>New York Times 26 Nov 2014 [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/world/europe/german-matchmakers-pair-lonely-leftovers-and-rumbling-bellies.html Finding Takers for Lonely Leftovers in a Culinary Nook of the Sharing Economy By Sally McGrane]</ref> He is also the co-founder of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists.<ref>GFDD [http://www.muestracinemedioambientaldominicana.org/dreff2012/pe_taste_en.asp III DR Environmental Film Festival September 4-8 2013 Taste the Waste]</ref>
==Early life== Valentin Thurn was born in 1963 in Stuttgart, Germany.<ref>Horschule für Forwirtschaft Rottenburg 25 November 2014 [http://www.hs-rottenburg.net/276+M54a708de802.html?&cHash=166a66608b8745f03e5a74f534b25cd2&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=615 „Taste the Waste – unsere Verantwortung beim Umgang mit Nahrungsmittelressourcen“]</ref>
He studied geography, ethnology and politics in Frankfurt, Cologne and Aix-en-Provence, graduating with a degree in geography. In 1985/1986, he also completed training as an editor at the German School of Journalism in Munich.
==Career== The television documentaries that he has written and directed have received awards and have been aired for numerous national German broadcasters. He is the founder of the Cologne-based Thurn Film production company which began in 2003.<ref>German Films [http://www.german-films.de/filmarchive/browse-archive/view/detail/film/taste-the-waste/ Taste the Waste]</ref> His film ''Taste the Waste'' which premiered at the Berlinale 2011 <ref>{{Cite web |title=Taste The Waste |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/2011/programme/20111634.html |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=www.berlinale.de |language=en}}</ref> and was shown at UK Green Film Festival, City Screen, York on May 19, 2012. It exposed how a significant percentage of food on its journey from the farm to the dinner table ends up in landfill. He interviewed everyone in the food chain which included food producers, consumers to administrators and even politicians.<ref>The Press May 18, 2012 [http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/film/9715251.UK_Green_Film_Festival__City_Screen__York/ Film news and reviews UK Green Film Festival, City Screen, York]</ref> It won Best Film of 2011 at Germany’s Atlantis Environment and Nature Film Festival. It also got the Documentary Film Award at EKOFILM International Film Festival in the Czech Republic.<ref>foodtank 26 September 2013 [http://foodtank.com/news/2013/09/twenty-six-films-every-food-activist-must-watch 26 Films Every Food Activist Must Watch]</ref><ref>Food Square [http://www.foodsquare.net/foodnews/26-food-films-you-have-to-watch/ Food News 26 food films we have to watch]</ref> Another award in Germany that the film picked up was Environmental Media Prize by the German Environmental Organisation.<ref>Documentary Campus Nov 30 2011 [http://www.documentary-campus.com/newsItem/id__177/ Valentin Thurn honored with the Umwelt-Medienpreis]</ref>
He founded the food sharing website Foodsharing.de, which was launched in January 2013. It was set up as a practical way to help to help solve food waste. The difference between this operation and food banks where people would have to prove they were needy, this one could be accessed by anybody.<ref>U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/journals/pnw_2013_parks001.pdf Germans curb waste through online food-sharing by Joe Fela</ref> It was reported in November 2014 by the New York Times that in December that year, Foodsharing.de would incorporate Lebensmittelretten.de, a food sharing website which was founded by Raphael Fellmer.<ref>New York Times 26 Nov 2014 [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/world/europe/german-matchmakers-pair-lonely-leftovers-and-rumbling-bellies.html Finding Takers for Lonely Leftovers in a Culinary Nook of the Sharing Economy By Sally McGrane]</ref>
He has been quoted as saying "the food industry played on consumers’ feelings to get them to buy."<ref>Khaleej Times September 26, 2014 [http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/diversions/2014/September/diversions_September10.xml§ion=diversions Berliners say Auf Wiedersehen to plastic]</ref>
In 2016, Thurn founded Germany's first food policy council in Cologne together with politicians and representatives from business and science.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Der Ernährungsrat |url=https://www.ernaehrungsrat-koeln.de/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Ernährungsrat Köln |language=de}}</ref>
In his latest film, ''Dream On! Longing for Change'', Valentin Thurn follows five extraordinary life plans of people who are looking for alternatives for themselves and society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Träum weiter! Sehnsucht nach Veränderung – THURNFILM |url=https://www.thurnfilm.de/en/traeum-weiter/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
From 2022 to 2026, he was a member of the board of AG Dok (Working Group for Documentary Film).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Verband - AG DOK |url=https://www.agdok.de/de_DE/profil#der-vorstand |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=www.agdok.de |language=de}}</ref>
==Filmography== * Poor in spite of work<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arm trotz Arbeit – THURNFILM |url=https://www.thurnfilm.de/en/arm-trotz-arbeit/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref> - 2023 * Cheap Meat - Who pays for the low prices?<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billiges Fleisch Wer bezahlt für die kleinen Preise? – THURNFILM |url=https://www.thurnfilm.de/en/billiges-fleisch-wer-bezahlt-fuer-die-kleinen-preise/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref> - 2021 * Dream on! Loning for change - 2021 * Farewell to the middle class - The precarious society<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abschied von der Mittelschicht Die prekäre Gesellschaft – THURNFILM |url=https://www.thurnfilm.de/en/abschied-von-der-mittelschicht-die-prekaere-gesellschaft/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref> - 2020 * Corporations as saviours? The Virtue of Multinationals<ref>{{Cite web |title=Konzerne als Retter? Das Geschäft mit der Entwicklungshilfe – THURNFILM |url=https://www.thurnfilm.de/en/konzerne-als-retter-das-geschaeft-mit-der-entwicklungshilfe/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref> - 2017 * ''10 Billion - What's on your plate? (10 Milliarden - Wie werden wir alle satt?)'' - 2015 * ''Die Essensretter'' - 2013 * ''Taste the Waste'' - 2010 * ''Guillaume Depardieu - Es ist die Hölle!'' - 2010 * ''Ein Lotse fürs Leben '' - 2009 * ''The Whistleblower - Der aufsässige Staatsdiener - Ein Beamter packt aus'' - 2009 * ''Unschuldig im Knast'' - 2009 * ''Tod im Krankenhaus'' - 2008 * ''Gefundenes Fressen'' - 2008 * ''Samenspender unbekannt'' - 2008 * ''Impfen - Nur ein kleiner Nadelstich?'' - 2007 * ''Faustrecht hinter Gittern'' - 2007 * ''Mit meiner Tochter nicht - Frauen-Beschneidung in Europa'' - 2007 * ''Ich bin Al Kaida - Das Leben des Zacarias Moussaoui'' - 2006 * ''Mein Kind in deinem Bauch'' - 2006 * ''Mein Vater will mich umbringen - Frauen auf der Flucht vor Ehrenmorden'' - 2005 * ''Bittere Pillen'' - 2005 * ''Ein Kind um jeden Preis'' - 2005 * ''Der Ruf nach dem Kind'' - 2004 * ''Oh diese Beckers - ein Familie im Rampenlicht'' * ''Papa liebt einen Mann'' - 2003 * ''Der Trail Der Toros'' - 2003 * ''Die Story'' (TV Series documentary), Episode: ''Der Arzt und die verstrahlten Kinder von Basra'' (2003)
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.thurnfilm.de/ Thurnfilm] * [http://tastethewaste.com/ ''Taste the Waste'' home] *{{IMDb name|3218495}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thurn, Valentin}} Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Film people from Stuttgart