Born in Limassol, Cyprus under the name Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης (Mikhalis Kakogiannis), as a young man, Cacoyannis was sent by his family to England to become a lawyer. However, after producing Greek-language programs for the BBC during World War II, Cacoyannis found an interest in film instead. He ended up at the Old Vic school, and enjoyed a brief stage career there under the name "Michael Yannis" before he began working on films. After having trouble finding a directing job in the British film industry, Cacoyannis returned to Greece, and in 1953 he made his first film, Windfall in Athens.
Cacoyannis has worked on many occasions with the Greek actress Irene Papas. In 1971, he teamed up once more with Papas to the film The Trojan Women, starring Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn.
Cannes Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
Academy Awards(OSCARS)
Golden Globes
British Academy Awards(BAFTA)
New York Film Critics
David di Donatello Awards
Thessaloniki Film Festival
Moscow Film Festival
Edinburgh Film Festival
Montreal World Film Festival
Jerusalem Film Festival
Cairo International Film Festival
