Valerie was born in 1964 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
With a B.A. in Political Science and Aesthetics & Culture from Aarhus University, Denmark her introduction to the film world began at The Royal Theater in Copenhagen in the early 1990’s.

Then as Director of Post-graduate studies for dance in Denmark, under the auspices of the Danish Theater School in Copenhagen. In 1995 she arranged a dance film festival in collaboration with The Danish Film School and the curiosity in the art of filmmaking began.

Participating in courses at the Department of Film and Media Studies, University of Copenhagen and post-graduate courses at the National Film School of Denmark she directed her first documentary in 1998, “Cowboy & Angel”. Valerie then directed and produced the short film “Sofies’ Heart” and a third film “Ballerina” a short animated film in collaboration with Greenlandish animation director, Kunuk Platoú. The creative development of storytelling for children’s animation hence became her passion.
 Valerie joined Zentropa in 2007 for a brief engagement and in the fall of 2008 she agreed to run our Norwegian company Fjellape Film.

January 1, 2009. Zentropa International Norway took on a new profile under her management. By May 2009 such prominent directors as Petter Næss (director of the Oscar nominated film “Elling”), Jens Lien (director of “The Brothersome Man”) and Unni Straume (director of “Music for Weddings and Funerals”) had signed with the company. Added to the list since then, is Morten Tyldum(Varg Veum- Fallen Angels), Magne Pettersen(Parat) and Anit Killi(Sinna Mann). 

Valerie will develop and produce Norwegain feature films for Zentropa with these directors, with the goal of bringing them into the international arena.