Milcho Manchevski was born in 1959 in Skopje, Macedonia (former Yugoslavia). After studies in Art History in his home town he completes his education with a BA in Film production at Southern Illinois University in 1983. He first becomes famous as a photographer, artist and director of music videos and experimental shorts. In 1994, his first feature film Before the Rain premieres at Venice Film Festival where it is awarded the Golden Lion for best film. Subsequently, it is also nominated for Academy Award as Best Foreign film from Macedonia shooting its director to global fame. Milcho Manchevski has since directed five features (Dust, Shadows, Mothers, Bikini Moon and Willow), numerous short forms, and an episode of The Wire, winning over 50 international awards in festivals worldwide (Independent Spirit, FIPRESCI, Best Director at Raindance, Best Film at Cinequest, FEDEORA, film of the year in several countries and awards for experimental film). He resides in New York where he writes fiction and essays, takes photographs, creates art and teaches.