FILMS
Daniel Ruczko is a self-taught filmmaker whose work spans the entire creative pipeline — from writing and directing to cinematography, editing, sound design, scoring, and visual effects. His films often explore psychological themes, surreal imagery, and emotionally raw storytelling.
His first major recognition came in 2010 with Bipolar – A Narration of Manic Depression, which won an award for its concept, selected by German actor Matthias Schweighöfer. The film marked the beginning of his filmmaking journey and set the tone for his emotionally intense, visually striking work. Since then, Daniel has written and directed a wide range of short films that have received 65+ international awards and was screened three years in a row at the Cannes Short Film Corner.
Through his company Mind Pollution Pictures, he’s developed a body of work that spans narrative shorts, artist-driven content, and branded storytelling — always hands-on from concept to completion.
In recent years, Daniel relocated to Los Angeles, collaborating with producers and screenwriters in development on larger-scale projects, including a feature film with the production company Black Label Media and writer Michael Reisz, which is still in developement.
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INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS (2017)
GENRE: HORROR
RUNTIME: 26 MIN
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO
SYNOPSIS: A young woman tortured by jealousy is waiting for her husband to return from work, while holding on to her last bit of sanity.
PRODUCED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO & FLORIAN KELM
CAST: KRISTEN RAKES, ANTONIO LEON, WHIT KUNSCHIK, STEPH THOMAS, BRYTNEE RATLEDGE, KENNETH MILLER & DANIEL RUCZKO
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL RUCZKO
EDITED BY: FLORIAN KELM & DANIEL RUCZKO
COMPOSER: DANIEL RUCZKO
SOLITARY (2016)
Surrounded by millions and yet completely alone
GENRE: DRAMA
RUNTIME: 35 MIN
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO
PRODUCED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO & JONATHAN COOK
CAST: JODI LYNN THOMAS, CHELSEA EDMUNDSON, JOSHAU MANN, LARRY CEDAR, ALEX KNIGHT, J.P. MANOUX, ANTONIO LEON, INES MILANS & TISH HICKS
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL RUCZKO
EDITED BY: FLORIAN KELM & DANIEL RUCZKO
COMPOSER: DANIEL RUCZKO
DUALITY (2015)
GENRE: HORROR
RUNTIME: 13 MIN
WRITTEN, PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO
SYNOPSIS:
A YOUNG WOMAN WAKES UP AND FINDS A PHOTO OF HERSELF SLEEPING ON HER PHONE, SHE LIVES ALONE.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JONATHAN COOK
CAST: JODI LYNN THOMAS, KRISTEN RAKES, WENDY SCOTT & MADISON FOGLE
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL RUCZKO
EDITED BY: FLORIAN KELM & DANIEL RUCZKO
COMPOSER: DANIEL RUCZKO
LET GO (2013)
GENRE: DRAMA
RUNTIME: 3 MIN
WRITTEN, PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO
SYNOPSIS: LET GO IS THE STORY OF CHANGES IN A RELATIONSHIP AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING OUT OF LOVE, TOLD IN A MONOLOGUE.
CAST: MAHARANI VOLMER, LEIF PAHL & FRANZISKA STOBBE
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL RUCZKO
EDITED BY: FLORIAN KELM & DANIEL RUCZKO
COMPOSER: DANIEL RUCZKO
WAKE UP! (2013)
GENRE: DRAMA
RUNTIME: 25 MIN
WRITTEN, PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO
SYNOPSIS: WAKE UP TELLS THE STORY OF LEON, A 29 YEAR OLD MALE WORKING A MEDIOCRE OFFICE JOB, WHO LOST HIS FOCUS IN LIFE. THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE WHEN HE FINDS HIMSELF WAKING UP IN A TRAIN BEING CONFRONTED WITH HIS WAY OF "LIVING" BY A MAN SITTING ACROSS OF HIM.
CAST: LUIS BORDONADA, JESUS MAYORGA, MIKE MILLER, KENNETH MILLER & JOHN PANZLAU
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL RUCZKO
EDITED BY: FLORIAN KELM & DANIEL RUCZKO
COMPOSER: DANIEL RUCZKO
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BIPOLAR - A NARRATION OF MANIC DEPRESSION (2011)
GENRE: DRAMA/EXPERIMENTAL
RUNTIME: 35 MIN
WRITTEN, PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO
SYNOPSIS: AN EXPERIMENTAL SHORT MOVIE, ENTIRELY SHOT IN SPLIT SCREEN. IT FOLLOWS A MANIC-DEPRESSIVE AUTHOR CALLED ANDREW GONY. THE MOVIE SHOWS ANDREW IN BOTH MENTAL STAGES, TO VISUALIZE THAT THE SPLIT SCREEN IS USED.
CAST: DANIEL RUCZKO
EDITED BY: FLORIAN KELM & DANIEL RUCZKO
COMPOSER: DANIEL RUCZKO
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EVACUATION (2010)
GENRE: EXPERIMENTAL
RUNTIME: 3 MIN
WRITTEN, PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY: DANIEL RUCZKO & FLORIAN KELM
SYNOPSIS: EVACUATION IS AN EXPERIMENTAL SHORT MOVIE ABOUT THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A JUICE BOX.
CAST: FLORIAN KELM
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL RUCZKO
EDITOR: FLORIAN KELM