Lorenz Merz was born 1981 in Zurich from swiss-american parents. After formation in music, painting and photography he studied film at University of the Arts Zurich and Universidad del Cine Buenos Aires. His graduate piece Un dia y nada (2008) won international awards, including the Silver Leopard at the 61st Locarno IFF and the Swiss Film Prize (2009). His feature film Cherry Pie (2013), presented at 66th Locarno IFF, Rotterdam IFF and many others, won international awards including the Luna de Valencia at the Valencia IFF (2014). As cinematographer he received awards including the Swiss Film Prize for Summer Games (2011) and War (2014). In 2013, he and fellow filmmakers founded the Zurich based production company 8horses. He was part of international jury's in Locarno IFF and NIFFF Neuchatel Fantastic IFF 2015. Lorenz Merz is member of EFA European Film Academy, SFA Swiss Film Academy and SCS Swiss Cinematographer's Society. Father of two sons, lives in Zurich and Paris.