Lars Brinkema

Biography

Growing up in Minneapolis, Lars found his passion in film and photojournalism, documenting the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. Witnessing firsthand the unjust representation of the protest movement sparked the idea for his first film, I Pray —an award-winning short documentary about the Minneapolis community’s resilience and collective fight for justice. This foundation in authentic, personal storytelling informed his approach to documenting what would become Threshold, his feature-length directorial debut. When Jessie entrusted him with telling her mental health story, it became more than a film; it was a responsibility rooted in his own closeness to people whose lives have been shaped by the same struggle. Now based in Los Angeles, Lars is drawn to intimate, character-driven stories that foster reflection, dialogue, and change.