Sébastien Lifshitz

Sébastien Lifshitz (born 1968) is a distinguished French screenwriter and director who specializes in LGBTQ+ themes. His career has been both prolific and impactful, with a number of his works winning noteworthy awards. He is also known for his involvement in academia, where he holds a teaching position at La Fémis - a renowned school of image and sound. Lifshitz's academic background is in arts, with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Paris and studies at the École du Louvre. His 2004 film Wild Side, a story about a transgender prostitute, showcases the unique narrative style Lifshitz employs, with a blend of forward and backward storytelling. This work won him the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film in 2004, awarded at the Berlin International Film Festival. His documentary profile, 'Bambi', which covers the life of the transgender French entertainer Marie-Pierre Pruvot, also won the Teddy Award for Best Documentary in 2013. Outside of film, Lifshitz has also expanded into the literary realm, with Rizzoli International publishing his collection, The Invisibles: Vintage Portraits of Love and Pride, featuring gay-themed photos from the early 20th century. Even though he has various achievements under his belt, Lifshitz is still active in the film industry, having won the Grand Prix at the 2020 edition of Film Fest Gent.