Michael Graversen

Michael Graversen is a Danish documentary filmmaker. He graduated from the National Film and Television School in England and directs documentaries often of a existential or socially relevant character. His film has won awards and been selected for such festivals as IDFA and CPH:DOX. In 2015 Michael Graversen directed Dreaming of Denmark. For over 3 years the director followed the underground life of the Afghan boy Wasiullah - one of the many unaccompanied refugee children that disappear in Europe after they receive a rejection on their asylum claim. The film was nominated for a F:ACT Award at CPH:DOX and was broadcast in prime time at DR1. Subsequently, the film has toured international festivals, TV and won awards - most recently the Amnesty International Award at Giffoni International Film Festival. In 2013 Michael Graversen directed the predecessor "No Man's land". The film is a portrait of an asylum center in Jægerspris for unaccompanied minor refugees and was selected for 25+ international festivals including IDFA. Michael Graversen was one of the first to make films about and document the lives of the unaccompanied refugee children in Europe. In 2016 he received the Salaam Film Prize 2016 as a result of his work. In 2012 Michael Graversen directed The Last Night Shift about women keeping lone dying people company in their final hours. The director has also worked with experimental and poetic film as "An Anxious Mind," (selected for Australian Experimental Film Festival) which is about Michael Graversen's own experience of having been affected by childhood cancer. Michael Graversen's first film was "Toxic Ground" about a pollution scandal in his hometown Grindsted. "Toxic Ground" aired on DR2 and was selected for CPH:DOX and created a lot of debate. Subsequently, a public meeting in Grindsted was held and a bill was presented in danish parliament.