Born in Istanbul in 1961, he studied film at the University of California in Los Angeles and at the Sorbonne in Paris. His first feature, "Serpent's Tale" (1994), brought him rapid acclaim, winning him prizes in Istanbul and Ankara for best film, screenplay and director. Besides narrative cinema, Ataman also creates film installations which have been shown among other venues at the 2002 documenta 11 in Kassel. He was a guest of the Berlinale Panorama in 1999 with "Lola and Bilidikid". "Kuzu" marks his fifth feature film.

Source: 64. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue)