 His first short film, "Dobermann" (which he wrote, produced, directed and edited), broke the school record for the number of awards won by a student production.It became an international festival sensation, and Donnersmarck traveled the festival circuit for over a year.His first feature film "Das Leben der Anderen" ("The Lives of Others"), which Donnersmarck spent three years writing, directing and completing, won the European Film Award for Best Film, Best Actor and Best Screenplay in 2006.