Yorgos Lanthimos (born September 23, 1973, Athens) is a Greek filmmaker who has redefined contemporary cinema through his unique blend of grim humor and incisive explorations of human behavior. With a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and five Oscar nominations, he is a distinguished figure in global filmmaking. After graduating from Athens’ Stavrakos Film School, he engaged in experimental theater and honed his skills directing commercials and music videos before his feature debut, Kinetta (2005). His breakthrough, Dogtooth (2009), won the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Lanthimos has notably worked with Hollywood studios while retaining final cut, safeguarding his creative vision.

His collaboration with writer Efthymis Filippou has yielded bold, unconventional narratives. Alps (2011), secured Best Screenplay at Venice, while The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), won the same at Cannes. The Lobster (2015), a dystopian satire, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, signaling Lanthimos’ adept shift to English-language films. The Favourite (2018), a critical and commercial triumph, and Poor Things (2023), recipient of Venice’s Golden Lion, affirm his dedication to subverting cinematic norms.

Lanthimos’ enduring partnership with actress Emma Stone has profoundly shaped his work. Their collaborations, including The Favourite, Poor Things, and Kinds of Kindness (2024), acclaimed at Cannes, reflect a dynamic alliance. Stone, a committed advocate, produced several of his films and contributed to Bleat (2022) without compensation, underscoring her belief in his vision.