(15.09.1956)

Rao Heidmets was born in 1956 in Pärnu, Estonia. He graduated from the Tallinn Technical University, faculty of electro-energetics. After finishing university in 1982 he changed careers and went to work in animation at the Tallinnfilm studios. He started as an animator and from 1983 onwards became a film director. He has made more than 20 films that have travelled to festivals around the world and most of them have won prizes. He has also been a member of more than 20 International film festival juries. Currently he’s also teaching animation at the Estonian Academy of the Arts and other higher education schools. He has also made several workshops for students and children around the world. He held his first personal exhibition of graphics and drawings in 1986 and has continued exhibiting his art and video installations. Selected filmography: “Papa Carlo Theatre” (Grand Prix in Cinanima Int. Fest. 1988; Nominated Palm D’Or Cannes Fest. 1989), “Inherent Obligations” (Grand Prix in Fredrikstad Int. Fest. Norway 2008; Grand Prix in OTTAWA Int. Festival Canada 2009)