Born 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri, he began making 8mm animation and video filmsfrom elementary through high school. Continuing undergraduate studies at CaliforniaState University San Diego, Television and Film Department in 1990, Matthew developedprofessional skills with an emphasis in writing and directing. Between San Diego and L.A.worked as production manager, writer, and assistant director on various independentprojects. In 1995 he moved to Berlin, Germany, starting a career as a writer with theagency Verlag der Autoren, Frankfurt, working on both fiction narrative and documentaryfilm productions. His documentaries include "Homemade Hillbilly Jam" [co-writer andeditor] which has toured theaters and festivals, now in international DVD distribution. Hisdocumentary as co-director for ZDF das kleine fernsehspeile “Forgetting Dad” [co-directorand editor] received the Prädikat besonders wertvoll award, and Special Jury Award atIDFA. Currently the winner of 2009 Dokuwettbewerb with BR, Telepool, for "Beerland"which he will write and direct. Matthew Sweetwood currently lives with his German wifeand three boys in Potsdam, Germany.
