Arbo Tammiksaar (born March 5, 1956) is an Estonian film director. He graduated from the University of Tartu in 1978 and then studied filmmaking at the Tallinn State Pedagogical Institute. His film career began in the late 1980s, when he directed several short films and documentaries.
Tammiksaar's first feature film was "Tulevase Tuule Värvid" (1992), which won the Grand Prix at the Tallinn International Film Festival. This film was followed by the award-winning "Noored Käivad Kaubal" (1998), which was nominated for the Best Film Award at the European Film Awards.
In 2003, Tammiksaar directed the critically acclaimed "Keskpäevane Praam" (The Midday Ferry), which won the Best Film Award at the London International Film Festival. This was followed by the drama "Kevadine Kiir" (2005), which was nominated for the Best European Film Award.
Tammiksaar's other notable films include "Kaugel Meist" (2009), a film about a family's struggle during Estonia's transition to a free market economy; "Kirju Teed" (2012), a film about a family's journey across the country during World War II; and "Aeg on Tuul" (2014), a film about a young woman's struggle to find her place in the world.
In addition to his feature films, Tammiksaar has directed several television series, including "Külm Süda" (2007) and "Verevalaja" (2012). He has also written and directed the short films "Elu Lühikese Ajaga" (2009) and "Üks Hea Mees" (2011).
Tammiksaar's films have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Estonian Film Award, the Best Film Award at the London International Film Festival, the Best European Film Award, and the Grand Prix at the Tallinn International Film Festival. He has been a member of the European Film Academy since 2000.
Tammiksaar is considered one of the most important figures in Estonian cinema. He is known for his nuanced approach to filmmaking, which combines realism, poetry, and a strong sense of humanity. His work has been praised for its ability to evoke emotion and bring
