Iva Svarcova was born in the Czech Republic and emigrated to Germany. After language studies in Munich and Madrid, she studied at the German Film & Television Academy in Berlin (dffb) under István Szabó and Wim Wenders. Active as a writer and director, a selection of her films include: "Viola" (1986) which opened the Video Screenings at Berlin in 1987, "With Love Rita" (1988) - opening film and winner of the VHS Prize at Mannheim/Heidelberg in 1988, "Die Frau seines Lebens" (1990) - her graduation film from the dffb and winner of a German Short Film Award in 1991, "Mulo" (1992/1993) - winner of the Prix Futura in 1993, and "Blick durchs Fenster" (1994) - winner of the Golden Gate Award at San Francisco in 1995. "When Grandpa Loved Rita Hayworth" ("Als Grossvater Rita Hayworth liebte", 2000) is her first feature film.

Source: German Films Service & Marketing GmbH