Benno Trautmann was born in 1947 in Germany. He went to school, to highschool, to the art academy, studying photography (Kunsthochschule Mainz, 1967-1968) and filmmaking (Kunsthochschule Kassel, 1969-1973). Since 1974 he is working as a freelance filmmaker, photographer, cameraman, soundman, editor, author and producer. Living in Berlin. 1976 he founded together with filmmaker Antonia Lerch the Lerch-Trautmann-Filmproduction, 33 films in 33 years. He took part in numerous festivals and exhibitions, looking for money and awards. Madman´s Dictionary is his first step back to his roots, with the backing of Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, special section: artistic low budget documentary.