Edward Mirzoeff
Edward Mirzoeff CVO, CBE (born 11 April 1936) is a prominent British television producer and documentary filmmaker.
Early life
Mirzoeff was educated at Hasmonean Grammar School, a former state grammar school, now known as Hasmonean High School, a co-educational state comprehensive school for Jewish pupils in Hendon in north west London. He won an Open Scholarship in Modern History to The Queen's College at the University of Oxford, in 1953, obtaining a BA (Oxon) in 1956, MA (Oxon) in 1960.
Film work
Mirzoeff's wide-ranging studies of British institutions for the BBC include the Royal Green Jackets (a former regiment of the British Army), New Scotland Yard, the National Trust, Westminster School, the Royal Opera House and the Ritz Hotel.
Mirzoeff was given unprecedented access and attracted record-breaking audiences for his 1992 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth R, marking her 40th anniversary on the throne. Subsequently he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Mirzoeff also made a series of enduring films with the late Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman (notably Metro-land, 1973, A Passion for Churches, 1974, and "The Queen's Realm - A Prospect of England",1977) and directed many other leading presenters, including James Cameron, Ludovic Kennedy and Malcolm Muggeridge. Many of his films, such as "The Front Garden", and "The Englishwoman and the Horse", are poetic celebrations of Englishness. He has edited numerous series, from the innovative Bird's Eye View (shot entirely from a helicopter) to the controversial "Real Lives", "Year of the French" (1982-83), and the multi-award-winning 40 Minutes documentary strand, which he edited for four years, 1985-89. He was Executive Producer of many other award-winning programmes and series, including "Pandora's Box", "The Ark", "The House", "Full Circle with Michael Palin" and "Lie of the Land".
Awards and honours
Mirzoeff's honours include four BAFTAs – among them the Alan Clarke Award for outstanding creative contribution to television – the Samuelson Award, a British Film Institute Television Award, British Video Award, an International Emmy, and the awards of the Broadcasting Press Guild and the Royal Philharmonic Society.
Mirzoeff was appointed CVO in 1993, and CBE in 1997 for his contribution to Documentary. He became Chairman of BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts), from 1995-1997, and Chairman of The Grierson Trust from 2002-2006.
Personal life
Mirzoeff married Judith Topper in 1961 and has three sons named Nicholas, Daniel and Sacha.
Edward is also a member of The Garrick Club, London.
