Born in Vienna in 1970, Barbara studied theatre science, German language and journalism. She started with directing and screenwriting studies at the Vienna Film Academy in 1991 and worked as assistant director, script / continuity, assistant editor and acted in the feature film „Memory of the Unknown“, directed by Nathalie Alonso Casale.

In 1999 she founded the film production company „Coop 99“ together with Martin Gschlacht, Jessica Hausner and Antonin Svoboda.