Director, production designer.
Honored Artist of Russia. Laureate of the N.K.Krupskaya State Prize of the RSFSR and the State Prize of Russia. Oscar winner (2000). Winner of the National Animation Award "Icarus", winner of the "Triumph" award, winner of the honorary prize of the International Film Festival in San Marino (Italy) for his outstanding contribution to the development of world animation.
In 1976 he graduated from the Yaroslavl Art College, in 1982 – from the Art faculty of VGIK (master – I.P.Ivanov-Vano). In 1987-88 he studied at the Higher Courses of screenwriters and directors (masters – F.S.Khitruk, Yu.B.Norstein, E.V.Nazarov).
He worked as a production designer at the Armenfilm film Studio in Yerevan and at the Sverdlovsk Film Studio. He was an artist on films by A.B.Karaev, V.P.Petkevich and others.
He made his directorial debut in 1988. In 1992 he opened the Panorama Studio (Yaroslavl). He makes all his independent films using the technique of "animated painting".
In 1996-99 he lived and worked in Montreal (Canada). In 2007, he enrolled students in the Alexander Petrov Workshop, and has been teaching an official course since 2010. Since 2008, he has been an academician of the Russian Academy of Arts. Member of the American Film Academy (since 2011), member of the Nika Film Academy, member of Association International du Film d'Animation. Since 2010 – Member of the Council for Culture under the President of the Russian Federation. Member of the Expert Council of the National Animation Award "Icarus".

The movie is based on conversations between Emir Kusturica and José “El Pepe” Mujica
about the meaning of life, politics, philosophy, aesthetics and poetry.

The movie is based on conversations between Emir Kusturica and José “El Pepe” Mujica about the meaning of life, politics, philosophy, aesthetics and poetry.