Edward Mirzoeff

Edward Mirzoeff CVO, CBE (born 11 April 1936) is a prominent British television producer and documentary filmmaker.

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Early life

He went to Hasmonean Grammar School (now Hasmonean High School) in Hendon. He studied Modern History at Queen's College, Oxford.

Film work

His wide-ranging studies of British institutions for the BBC include the Royal Greenjackets Regiment, New Scotland Yard, the National Trust, Westminster School, the Royal Opera House and the Ritz Hotel.

He 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. For this he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, in the personal gift of Her Majesty.

He also made a series of enduring films with the late Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman (notably Metro-land, 1973, and A Passion for Churches, 1974), and directed many other leading presenters, including James Cameron, Ludovic Kennedy and Malcolm Muggeridge. Many of his films, such as "The Front Garden", "The Englishwoman and the Horse", and "The Queen's Realm: A Prospect of England", are poetic celebrations of Englishness. He has edited numerous series, from the innovative Bird's-Eye View (shot entirely from a helicopter) to the multi-award-winning 40 Minutes documentary strand. As an Executive Producer he worked on many other award-winning programmes and series, e.g. "Pandora's Box", "The Ark", "The House", and "Lie of the Land".

Awards and honours

His many 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.

He was appointed CVO in 1993, and CBE in 1997 for his contribution to Documentary.

He was Chairman of BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts) 1995-1997, and Chairman of The Grierson Trust 2002-2006.

Personal life

He married Judith Topper in 1961 and has three sons.

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