The Identity

In early 2026, Mikael Opstrup invited 11 documentary directors from 11 countries to reflect on their profession: how they see themselves as directors, how the process of becoming one unfolded, and what the work means to them. The result is THE IDENTITY, a book about the makers rather than the making.
Inside you will find:
– Reasons for not calling oneself a director
– Childhood memories that seem important today
– The blessing of self-imposed obstacles
– Regrets of choosing this profession
– How drawings can replace words
– The question: Am I still a director if I don’t direct for a longer period?
– And so much more
Each chapter has two parts: the director’s own text, and a conversation with Mikael Opstrup, the initiator of the book.
With Salomé Jashi (Georgia), Emma Davie (Scotland), Nishtha Jain (India), Göran Hugo Olsson (Sweden), Alan Berliner (USA), Diana El Jeiroudi (Germany/Syria), Eva Mulvad (Denmark), Aïcha Macky (Niger), Audrius Stonys (Lithuania), Maite Alberdi (Chile) and Olha Zhurba (Ukraine).
A book for everyone engaged in documentary filmmaking – and for documentary enthusiasts in general
Mikael Opstrup has worked with documentary directors for 25 years as distributor, festival director, producer, tutor and moderator.