Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Born: 1959
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
The director first attracted attention with Uzak, which won the Grand Prize at Cannes.
Orignally a photographer, Ceylan travelled the world before studying film-making for two years in Istanbul.
His 20 minute short, Koza (Cocoon) which was nominated for a Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995.
"I don't make films to earn money. I try to give a meaning my life, first of all. That's why I make cinema."
Success came in 2003 when his film Uzak (Distant) won the Grand Jury prize at Cannes.
The film also showed at the London Film Festival in the same year.
