Iris Disse studied philosophy and art history at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, as well as acting and directing at the Neue Münchner Schauspielschule.

She has appeared in almost 20 cinema and television films since 1981, including “Die Ehre der Veronika Voss” by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, “Das Mädchen mit den Feuerzeugen” by Ralf Hüttner and “Der Fahnder: Baal” by Dominik Graf and twice in Tatort by H.J.Gries and Wolfgang Becker.

From 1983 to 1993, she gained experience both on and off stage in the DGC (Disse Gries Company), which she co-founded - in 16 theatre productions she appeared not only as an actress, but also as a director, dramaturge, occasionally also as a stage designer, and was invited to international theatre festivals with her productions.

In 1991/92 she was artistic director of the Werktheater Wedding. Since 1993, together with the writer and tango dancer David Höner, she has organised the performance series “Pirates of the Voice” together with local musicians, dancers and authors (so far performances in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Ecuador, Mexico).

Because of her work in the field of electroacoustic music, she has been invited to teach at the University of San Francisco, Quito and at the Free University COLUMBIA in Lago Agrio. With her composition “Screaming Mamas” she took part in the 2001 Festival for Modern Music in Maui, Hawaii.

Since 1991, Iris Disse has also worked as a radio playwright, feature writer and composer in works of acoustic art and has received many awards for her productions. She was represented at EXPO 2000 three times: The cultural radio station LA LUNA 99.3 FM, which she co-founded, was presented as well as the foundation RAEL (radio artistica experimental latinoamerica).

Together with musicians from Ecuador, Iris Disse performed as part of her performance series “Pirates of the Voice”.

The musical trance journey “Ayahuasca Noche de Ritual” premiered at Expo 2000 and was broadcast on the radio by SFB. She has lived in Ecuador for 7 years as a CIM media expert.

Prizes & Awards:

1991 Prix Futura for the radio play “Tunguska-Guska” (CD Schneeball/Indigo 30492) (BR, with Grace Yoon and Sainko Namchilak).
1991 Prix Futura for the film “Zu jung um zu sterben” (ARTE, with G.Hamosh) as dramaturg and leading actress
1994 Radio Play of the Month March for “Letzte Sprünge oder die Erlösung des G.” (NDR, with David Höner)
2000 International Radio Play Prize for “Frieda Kahlo - Sandunga con Alas” and International Feature Prize for “Habia Una Vez - Mañana” at the 3rd International Radio Biennial in Mexico
2002 International Feature Prize for “Kinder des Dschungels” (SWR) at the 4th International Radio Biennale in Mexico