By: Francis J.

From Hyatt campaigns to the premier comedy film festivals in Los Angeles, Hanna Hartenhauer is proving that fearless female creativity knows no borders. 

From the creative corners of Germany to the dynamic pulse of Los Angeles, Hanna has emerged as one of the most promising young talents bridging European artistry with Hollywood storytelling. With nominations across multiple international festivals, including Broad Humor, one of the largest women-focused comedy film festivals in Los Angeles, Hanna is already building a distinctive reputation as both a performer and a filmmaker.

Her path, marked by humor, emotional depth, and fearless authenticity, reflects a creative who’s not waiting to be discovered; she’s already here, shaping her own narrative.

Q: You’ve been creating since childhood in Germany, even borrowing your dad’s camera to make musicals and talk shows with your pets. Looking back, how did those early experiments shape the artist you’ve become?

Hanna: Honestly, those moments shaped everything. I feel like just being completely, truly myself, being in a closed room with my family, being creative without trying to impress anyone, that’s where I first found my voice. For a while, I thought I was a dramatic actor, but then I realized I’ve always been comedic. Even as a kid, I was performing with my stuffed animals!
When I worked on my thesis film, I started reconnecting with that side of myself.

I had been overthinking everything, feeling lost, until I remembered that little girl who just grabbed a camera and created. That freedom, doing what you love without waiting for permission, is what makes great artists. Even the most prominent directors just do what they genuinely want to do.

Q: Musical theatre has been a big part of your life for eight years. What did that experience teach you that you still carry into your film work today?

Hanna: Musical theatre gave me so much confidence. It taught me how to be myself on stage and later, on screen. When you’re performing for a thousand people, you feel the energy in real time. You see how the audience reacts, what moves them, what makes them laugh.
That shaped how I approach film: even when the audience isn’t right in front of me, I think about the feeling I want to leave them with. Theatre helped me understand why I act, to make people feel something. And honestly, it also made me realize my biggest dream: to star in a musical film. That’s where my heart has always been.

Q: Your thesis film as lead actress earned nominations at several festivals, including Broad Humor, one of Los Angeles’ largest comedy-focused, women-led film festivals. What did that recognition mean to you as both an actor and a female creative?

Hanna: It was incredibly emotional. I cried almost every day during that time, not from sadness, but from reconnecting with something profound. Writing that project felt like going back to that little girl again and asking, What did she want?
I went all in with the story, wrote something wild and ridiculous, and played four completely different characters, from vulnerable to psychotic to grounded. It reminded me how much range women have, and how funny we are.
Being part of all-women festivals like Broad Humor and seeing that energy was empowering. For so long, people said comedy is a “male thing,” but that’s just not true. These experiences made me more confident in my voice as a performer, and even as a writer and producer.

Q: You’ve worked on projects ranging from commercials in Palm Springs to independent shorts. How do you balance commercial work with creative storytelling?

Hanna: I love both for different reasons. When I do commercials like the Hyatt Hotel campaign, you show up, deliver precisely what the brand wants, and bring positive energy. It’s about precision and professionalism. But in independent films, there’s so much more depth. You create backstories, you explore the emotional range of a character, and you build worlds from scratch.
I like being the face of something, whether it’s a brand or a story, but I especially love it when I get to create something that touches people on a personal level.

Q: “Hell Hike 2” was fully improvised, with you creating your character on the spot. What was the biggest challenge and the biggest joy of acting without a script?

Hanna: The first ten minutes, I definitely felt like I wasn’t enough. But then something clicked, started feeding off the people around me, and that energy became pure freedom.
Improv is all about bravery. It’s about letting go, trusting yourself, and finding fun in every moment. Once I embraced that, it became one of the most liberating experiences of my career.

Q: Your career has already spanned Germany to Los Angeles, commercials to festivals, musicals to improv. What makes your path unique compared to other actors building their careers in Hollywood?

Hanna: I think coming from a different culture gives me a different lens. I grew up in a small German town, and I’m proud of that. I’m tall: 5’11, with red hair, and that used to make me feel like I didn’t fit in. But now, it’s part of what makes me unique. Moving to another country at 18, chasing a dream in a totally new environment, forced me to grow up early. That’s become my superpower. I bring my background, my discipline, and my curiosity to everything I do.

Q: Looking ahead, what kind of roles or creative projects excite you most, and what message do you hope your journey sends to others?

Hanna: I want to do more musical films, projects that mix storytelling, humor, and music. I recently did a musical short called The Art of Falling In Love with an original song, and it reminded me why I love this so much.
I’m drawn to characters who evolve, who break down and rebuild, women who have something to teach us. Emma Stone and Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge! are huge inspirations. I even performed Moulin Rouge in Germany and absolutely loved it. But more than anything, I want my career to remind people: life is way too short not to try. Turn your head off, take the leap, and just do it, because “what if?” might actually turn into something beautiful.

Hanna’s trajectory is proof that authenticity and courage travel further than fear. From Germany’s theatre stages to Los Angeles’ film festivals, her voice stands out for its comedic instinct, emotional honesty, and relentless drive. As she continues to carve her path in Hollywood, Hanna reminds us that creativity isn’t about waiting for permission; it’s about trusting your voice and daring to create anyway.