Roko Belic is an acclaimed documentary filmmaker, best known for his Academy Award-nominated film “Genghis Blues,” and his Emmy-nominated feature documentary “Happy.” Belic was born in Zagreb, Croatia, in 1967. He moved to the United States with his family as a young child, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Belic began his career as a filmmaker in 1992 with the short film “My Grandmother’s House,” which won the Audience Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival. After that, he directed a number of documentary shorts, including “Steep,” a film about extreme skiing; and “On the Edge,” a film about the world’s best rock climbers.
In 1999, Belic directed his first feature-length documentary, “Genghis Blues,” which was nominated for an Academy Award. The film follows a blind American blues singer who travels to Tuva, a tiny nation on the border of Russia, to compete in a throat-singing contest. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won numerous awards, including the Sundance Audience Award.
In 2011, Belic released his second feature documentary, “Happy.” The film explores the science of happiness, and features interviews with experts in the field. The film was nominated for an Emmy award, and was a bigger success than “Genghis Blues.”
In addition to his film work, Belic is also a sought-after speaker, giving lectures and workshops at leading universities and corporations around the world. He is also the co-founder of the DocuClub, a website that helps filmmakers connect with financiers and distributors.
Belic has established himself as one of the most respected documentary filmmakers of his generation. His films have won numerous awards and have been seen by millions of people around the world. Belic’s work is a testament to the power of storytelling, and a reminder of the importance of finding joy in life.
