Želimir Žilnik (born in Niš in 1942; currently living and working in Novi Sad) has written and directed numerous feature and documentary films which have reaped many awards at domestic and international film festivals. Žilnik is renowned as an initiator of the "docudrama" genre. From the very beginning his films have focused on contemporary issues, featuring social, political and economic assessments of everyday life. The student demonstrations of 1968 and the turmoil that followed the occupation of Czechoslovakia are at the centre of Žilnik’s first feature film Early Works (1969) which was awarded the “Golden Bear” at the Berlin Film Festival and four prizes in Pula that same year. After facing problems with censorship in Yugoslavia, Žilnik spent the mid-seventies in Germany, where he independently produced and made seven documentaries and one feature film, Paradise (1976). Following his return to Yugoslavia at the end of the seventies, he directed a substantial series of television films and docudramas for TV Belgrade and TV Novi Sad. By the end of the eighties Žilnik was making films through a cooperative structure of television and cinema production. Žilnik's most recent films include Fortress Europe (2000), Kenedi Goes Back Home (2003), Kenedi, Lost and Found (2005), Kenedi is Getting Married (2007), The Old School of Capitalism (2009) and others. These films have been screened at over 250 international festivals.
Alongside his ceaseless filmmaking and production work, Žilnik has also been active in educational activities. Since 1997 he has been a mentor, teacher and executive producer in many international workshops for students from all over South Eastern Europe and has been a visiting speaker at foreign film schools.
Alongside his ceaseless filmmaking and production work, Žilnik has also been active in educational activities. Since 1997 he has been a mentor, teacher and executive producer in many international workshops for students from all over South Eastern Europe and has been a visiting speaker at foreign film schools.