Shona Auerbach

Born: UK

The photographer-turned-director made her big screen debut with the Scottish-set drama Dear Frankie.

After studying photography Auerbach switched to film studies as Manchester University and cinematograpy at Leeds.

She completed her MA at the Polish National Film School in Lodz and made her directorial debut with the short Seven.

When it was named best film at the British Short Film Festival in 1996, she embarked on a successful career making commercials.

In 2004, she directed (and acted as director of photography) Dear Frankie, starring Emily Mortimer as a young mum who convinces her son his father is a sailor.