Montxo Armendáriz (b. 1949, Olleta, Spain) graduated in electronics (1969) and worked in the field as a professor until 1982. In 1999 he cofounded Oria Films production. Short films: Barregarriaren Dantza (1979), Ikusmena (1980), and Ikuska (1981). His first feature, Tasio (1984), awarded a Silver Seashell at San Sebastian for direction, started a career dominated by writer-director pictures of international renown. He continued with social issues in the movies 27 Hours (1986), Letters from Alou (1990) – Golden Seashell at San Sebastian, Stories from the Kronen (1995) – screened at Cannes, Secrets of the Heart (1997) – Blue Angel at the Berlinale for Best European Film, nominated for an Oscar, Broken Silence (2001), Traveling Stage (2003), Obaba (2005), Don’t Be Afraid (2011).
46. IFF Karlovy Vary