Vadim Perelman

Born: 1963
Where: Kiev, Ukraine

The former commercials director made his feature debut with the critically acclaimed House of Sand and Fog starring Ben Kingsley.

An only child, he emigrated from the Ukraine five years after his father was killed in a road accident when he was just nine.

Struggling to find a permanent home, Perelman lived as a street urchin during periods in Vienna and Rome before getting a visa to move to Canada.

After attending the University of Alberta he moved onto film-making following a period studying physics and mathematics.

Moving to Toronto, he studied at the Ryerson Film Institute for two years before launching his own production company.

After relocating to Los Angeles, he became in demand as a commercials director for clients including Microsoft, Panasonic and Sony Playstation.

His first feature - House of Sand and Fog - came about after he spotted the novel in an airport bookshop.

Upcoming projects include the fantasy adventure The Talisman for Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy.