Edon Rizvanolli

Born in Prishtina, he was compelled to depart for Austria in the early 1990s, following the outbreak of wars in the former Yugoslavia, which had a profound impact on his life. As a young man, he began his acting career in 1993 as Romeo in an amateur theatre group in Salzburg, Austria, where he honed his craft and developed his passion for the performing arts. This initial experience was followed by a professional contract with an esteemed ensemble, where he acted for three consecutive years, further refining his skills and building a strong foundation in the industry. In 1996, he relocated to New York City, where he enrolled in the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, dedicating two years to studying the art of acting and perfecting his craft. After returning to Austria in 1998, he continued to work as a stage actor in Vienna, gradually becoming increasingly interested in the various aspects of filmmaking. It was during this period that he created his first short film, Blownaway, which marked the beginning of his journey as a filmmaker. Since 2007, he has resided in Amsterdam, where he has primarily worked as an actor, taking on a wide range of roles and collaborating with numerous talented individuals in the industry. His debut feature, T'padashtun, made its world premiere at the renowned Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2017 and went on to be selected as Kosovo's entry for the 2018 Best Foreign Film Academy Award. Furthermore, he has been a member of the European Film Academy since 2017, solidifying his position as a respected figure in the world of film.