Diao Yinan (b. 1969, Xi'an, China) graduated in literature and screenwriting from the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing (1992). He has made a name for himself mainly as a screenwriter (e.g. for the films of director Zhang Yang) and author of avant-garde plays (A Fastrunner or Nowhere to Hide and Comrade Ah Q). In 2003 he tried his hand at acting, cast by Yu Likwai in the independent picture All Tomorrow's Parties, which screened at Cannes. He debuted in direction with Uniform (Zhifu, 2003), earning praise at the festivals in Vancouver and Rotterdam. His next film, Night Train (Ye chen, 2007), was presented in Cannes' Un certain regard section, then secured distribution in many countries. The crime drama Black Coal, Thin Ice, which took the Golden Bear at this year's Berlinale, is the director's third feature and he takes writing credits as well.
MFF Karlovy Vary
