Toby and Kevin Schmutzler are a German writer-, director- and producer duo based in Munich. Together they run the production company FilmCrew Media, dedicated to making films that inspire real-world change.
A film on the road to the Oscars
Their biggest international breakthrough to date is "NAWI: Dear Future Me" (2024), a Kenyan-German coming-of-age drama. Set in the remote Turkana region of northern Kenya, the film follows a young girl resisting a forced marriage in her pursuit of education. NAWI was selected as Kenya's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, and after a nearly two-year festival run that gathered 31 international awards, reached German and U.S. cinemas in 2026.
Stories that move audiences — and the needle
The brothers have built a body of work that ties cinematic storytelling to measurable outcomes. In 2025, working with animal-welfare advocate Malte Zierden, they made "Tierbrücke," which helped establish a shelter for animals abandoned during the war in Ukraine. The Netflix documentary "Biking Borders" (2021) funded the construction of several schools across South America and Africa. And their 2018 debut feature "Robin – Watch for Wishes" — a bucket-list movie about an ill child exploring South Africa, picked up by Electric Entertainment — launched the global "Watch for Wishes" donation campaign for children in need.
How it started
Raised in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, the brothers first trained apart: Kevin Schmutzler studied theatre and media in Bayreuth, while Toby Schmutzler trained at the Stuttgart Media University (HdM). The spark for their company came from a student film about India's water crisis, out of which they founded FilmCrew — an indie production house with a heart for sustainable filmmaking. Their early international work included the Kinshasa-set documentary "Where the Street Ends" about street children in DR Congo, before "Robin" became their first feature.
Two brothers. One passion.
Making films together since they were kids, Kevin and Toby are a perfectly synced directors duo.
Across formats. Across genres.
The brothers are experienced throughout various formats and genres from narrative features to documentaries to commercials and branded storytelling.
Real-world impact.
Creating positive change with their work is the overall vision: stories that spark awareness, mobilize communities, raise funds for charity, educate, and reach decision-makers.
