Emily Atef, a German filmmaker born on May 6, 1973, in Berlin, has led a life of creative exploration and achievement.
At the tender age of seven, Atef and her French-Iranian parents, along with her brother Cyril, the drummer, relocated to Los Angeles. This marked the beginning of her journey, which would take her to various parts of the world.
When Atef was 13, her family moved to France, where she completed her education. Later, she ventured to London to pursue a career in acting, making a name for herself in the city's theater scene.
After returning to Berlin, Atef enrolled in the prestigious Deutsche Film und Fernsehakademie Berlin to study film direction. Her first feature-length film, Molly's Way, co-authored by Esther Bernstorff, garnered significant recognition, including an advancement award at the Filmfest München and the Grand Jury Award at the Mar del Plata Film Festival.
Atef's subsequent feature films also received critical acclaim, with her second film, The Stranger in Me, addressing the sensitive topic of postnatal depression. This film was screened at the International Critics' Week of the Cannes Film Festival and received several awards.
In 2017, Atef wrote and directed the feature film 3 Days in Quiberon, which explores the emotional days leading up to Romy Schneider's last German interview. The film had its world premiere at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival, competing for the Golden Bear, and went on to win seven Lolas at the German Academy Awards in 2018.
Atef's most recent film, More Than Ever, starring Vicky Krieps and Gaspard Ulliel, was showcased in the Un certain regard section at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022.
