John Appel studied Classical Literature at the University of Amsterdam and graduated at the Netherlands Film Academy in 1987. He directed more than 40 documentaries for cinema and tv and was cinematographer on numerous films. As a mentor he has worked on many films of first time (and experienced) filmmakers. He gives masterclasses all over the world and has been jury member on major film festivals as IDFA, Karlovy Vary, Visions du Reel, Guangzhou. Voting member of the European Film Academy.