Born on July 19, 1960, in Cairo, Egypt, to Armenian parents, Atom Egoyan was raised in Victoria, British Columbia. While studying international relations and classical guitar at the University of Toronto, Egoyan began making short films and soon abandoned his plans to become a diplomat.

With his debut feature, Next of Kin (1984), Egoyan began exploring the themes that continue to permeate his work -- intimacy, displacement and the impact of technology and media on modern life. His 1989 film Speaking Parts received international recognition, and 1997's The Sweet Hereafter earned Egoyan Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Other notable films include The Adjuster (1991), Calendar (1993), Exotica (1994) and Ararat (2002). Egoyan's films have received numerous international awards, including four Cannes Film Festival wins and seven Genies (Canadian Academy Awards).