Oliver Hirschbiegel
Born: 1957
Where: Hamburg, Germany
The former painter has received critical accolades for his chilling drama about Hitler's last days - Downfall.
After studying to become a painter, Hirschbiegel became a multi-media artist and his experimental films caught the attention of German TV executives.
Known for his compelling detective dramas and thrillers, the series Komissar Rex was a massive hit in Germany and seen in more than 40 countries around the world.
His 2001 debut feature The Experiment - about a prison-come-laboratory - won the Bavarian Movie Award.
He followed it with the one-woman show Mein Letzer Film, featuring Hannelore Elsner as a disillusioned writer.
In 2004, he made World War II drama Downfall, starring Bruno Ganz as Hitler.
