Michael J. Keplinger (born November 10, 1999) is an Austrian musician and filmmaker.
Biography Keplinger’s 2019 music video False Neon God premiered at Crossing Europe in 2020. In 2021, his music video for the independent single Pick Up Your Cross (and follow me) was awarded The “Levi” Award for The Best Music Video at the Ca’ Foscari Short Film Festival.
Keplinger’s first narrative short films Allerseelen and Iris premiered at the Crossing Europe Film Festival in 2022 and 2024 respectively. The films received several awards. For his films, Keplinger serves as director, producer, composer, screenwriter, editor and sound designer.
In 2024, Keplinger signed with Upper Austrian record label Diegital Records. His debut single Passing Through was released later that year accompanied by a music video shot on 16 mm film. In 2026, Keplinger released the EP The Words At Play. For his music, Keplinger writes, produces and performs all vocal and instrumental parts himself.
Discography EPs
Passing Through EP (2025) The Words At Play (2026)
Singles
Passing Through (2024) More Than Kind (2024) The Words At Play (2026) Ember (2026)
Filmography Only directorial efforts are listed below.
Short films
Allerseelen (2021) Iris (2024) The Words At Play: Visual EP (2026)
Music videos
False Neon God (2019) Pick Up Your Cross (and follow me) (2020) Honolulu, Baby! (2020) Impromptu Sessions (2021–2023) Passing Through (2024) The Words At Play (2026) Rêverie To Zoë (2026) Ember (2026) S8/Underground (2026) The Words At Play Reprise (2026)
Accolades YearAward/CategoryWorkStatus2021Ca’ Foscari Short Film FestivalThe “Levi” Award for The Best Music VideoPick Up Your Cross (and follow me)WonGolden WireShort FilmAllerseelenNominated2022Landesmeisterschaft für Oberösterreich und SalzburgVÖFA-LandesmeisterschaftGold medalPick Up Your Cross (and follow me)WonSpecial award for a remarkable ideaWonFestival der österreichischen FilmautorenVÖFA-StaatsmeisterschaftBronze medal WonFlatness Film AwardsBest Super Short ExperimentalAllerseelenWonAustrian FilmfestivalBest Horror/Thriller FilmWon2023Festival der Film-Autoren von Oberösterreich und SalzburgGold medalWonSpecial award for a remarkable idea (with Simona Ascher)WonFestival der österreichischen Filmautorensilver medalWonSpecial award for remarkable sound designNominatedSpecial award for remarkable picture design (with Niklas Strahammer)NominatedSpecial award for remarkable narrativeNominatedGolden WireSound and MusicPassing ThroughWon2024Festival der Film-AutorenVÖFA-Landesmeisterschaft für OÖ & SalzburgProvincial champion for Upper AustriaIrisWonGold medalWonSpecial award for remarkable directionWonSpecial award for remarkable sound designWonSpecial award for remarkable picture design (with Niklas Strahammer)WonFestival der Österreichischen Film-AutorenVÖFA state championship 2024Silver medalWonZawinul Foundation For AchievementCreative Video AwardWonAustrian FilmfestivalBest Horror 2024WonBest FilmNominated2025TimeLine Film FestivalIntercultural and Integration AwardWonBuntingford Shorts Film FestivalHorror categoryWon85th Film Competition between Nations and CongressSilber medalWon
References
External links michaeljkeplinger.com – official website Michael J. Keplinger – official IMDb profile filmfreeway.com/mjk-media – official FilmFreeway profile