Wim Lindner was born March 27th 1931 in Vlissingen, Netherlands. He finished high-school education (H.B.S.-B). After military service he drifted around Europe and worked on freight-ships for several years. His first contact with the industry was as an extra in "Spy in the Sky" (1958), followed by two more stints as such in "Operation Amsterdam" (1959) and "The last Blitzkrieg" (1959). His first job behind the camera was as runner with the second unit shooting of "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1959). He then became a student at the Dutch Film Academy (1959/61). Later he served for seven years on the Board of Trustees of said Academy.

For more then ten years he was a member of the Dutch National Art Counsel (Raad van de Kunst). He was also for about ten years secretary of the N.B.F. (National Association of Filmmakers). He then joined the Filmschool as Financial Director and Head of the Production Department as well as teacher (1986/91).