Born 1979 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Niklas holds a degrees in Political Science and Film & Media Studies from University of Copenhagen. Niklas Engstroem has been part of the documentary festival CPH:DOX since its inception in 2003. CPH:DOX ranks among the most important documentary festivals globally and has within its 20 years of existence grown to become the third largest in the world with 3,000 industry guests and 125,000 audience members participating within the 12 days of festival.

Niklas began as associate programmer, grew to senior programmer in 2008, Head of Programme in 2015 and today shares the leadership of the festival as artistic director alongside managing director, Katrine Kiilgaard. Under Niklas’ leadership the festival has grown substantially, integrated the regional initiative DOX:DANMARK with 40+ participating municipalities as well as the year-round digital streaming platform, PARA:DOX. Besides CPH:DOX, Niklas is also the artistic director of the children’s film festival, Buster