Pierre Tatarka Biography
A passionate filmmaker, Pierre Tatarka has been working as a director in Mexico, Spain, Peru, and the UK for the past twenty-five years. He began his career in film as an apprentice and production assistant on the movie Like Water for Chocolate (Alfonso Arau, 1992). Tatarka graduated with honors from the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica in Mexico City.
He was awarded the FONCA grant, a prestigious recognition for Mexican artists, as well as a full scholarship from United International Pictures in the UK to pursue an M.A. in Fiction Direction at the National Film & Television School (NFTS) in Beaconsfield, U.K. There, he studied under the tutelage of renowned filmmakers, including Stephen Frears, Brian Tufano, Roger Michell, and Tim Bevan.
He has been invited to participate in exclusive workshops led by mentors such as Ewan McGregor, Spike Lee, Pawel Pawlikowski, Christoffer Boe, Thomas Vinterberg, and Chris Doyle, among others. In addition to his academic achievements, Tatarka's formation is deeply rooted in humanistic disciplines. He collaborated with Colectivo Seres Comunes in Mexico City on theatrical projects, produced documentary pieces on Indigenous Peoples in Mexico and Peru, and has made significant contributions to film education.
As a filmmaker, he has written and directed over a dozen short films, many of which have been recognized and awarded at international festivals and exhibitions. His credits also include TV series (M13DOS and Terminales), serving as the Second Unit Director for Km31, and directing over 150 commercials. More than being a filmmaker, his true calling is teaching.
He is a Professor of Film Grammar, Creative Processes, Screenwriting, and Mise en Scène at both the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC) and Escuela Superior de Cine y Animación (ESCine) in Mexico City. Additionally, he has lectured on Film Language History at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Since 2024, Pierre Tatarka has held the position of Academic Director at the Escuela Superior de Cine y Animación (ESCine) in Mexico City.
