Virgil Widrich, born in Salzburg in 1967, has built a career spanning film direction, screenwriting, and multimedia art. His body of work includes numerous short films and digital installations, contributing to his receipt of 290 film awards. He maintains an active profile in academia and artistic research while continuing his professional practice in contemporary Austrian cinema and exhibition design.
Early Career and Filmmaking
Growing up in a house on the Mönchsberg, Widrich began making short films at age 13 using a Super 8 camera. His early projects included My Homelife and Monster in Salzburg. After a brief period at the Vienna Film Academy, he relocated to Hollywood in 1990 to assist director John Bailey on the feature The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe. In 1993, he helped organize the Diagonale, a festival dedicated to Austrian cinema. He later achieved international attention for his short films Copy Shop, which earned an Oscar nomination, and Fast Film, which was screened at over 500 festivals.
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In 2001, he founded the company checkpointmedia GmbH to develop digital media for museums and cultural venues, including interactive stations for the Technical Museum Vienna. His portfolio in exhibition design ranges from the Mozarthaus Vienna to the Sconarium in Bad Schönau. He has served as artistic director for projects such as the 90th anniversary exhibition of the Salzburg Festival and various initiatives at the Upper and Lower Belvedere galleries, including 2025 projects focused on Gustav Klimt.
Academic and Research Contributions
Widrich holds a significant academic role, having served as Professor for Digital Arts at the University of Applied Arts Vienna from 2007 to 2010. Since 2010, he has led the post-graduate Art & Science programme. His focus on artistic research includes projects like Liquid Things, Data Loam, and Radical Matter, which explore the intersection of technology and creative expression. He is a member of the Academy of Austrian Film and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Fast facts
- Born: 1967, Salzburg, Austria
- Primary occupations: Film director, screenwriter, producer, editor
- Education: Vienna Film Academy
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member since: 2024
- Notable short films: Copy Shop, Fast Film
- Company founded: checkpointmedia GmbH (2001)
- Research projects: Liquid Things, Data Loam, Radical Matter
- Total film awards received: 290
Questions readers ask
What is Virgil Widrich's involvement with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences?
He has been a member of the Academy since 2024.
Which major research projects has Widrich led?
His primary research projects include Liquid Things (2011–2014), Data Loam (2017–2020), and Radical Matter (2021–2025).
Achievements
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and film producer
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