Binka Zhelyazkova

Born 15 July 1923 in Svilengrad, Bulgaria

Died 31 July 2011 (aged 88)

Binka Zhelyazkova was a Bulgarian film director. She was the first Bulgarian woman to direct a feature film. Her work often reflected her struggles, and four of her nine films were banned from distribution and reached audiences only after the end of communism. Despite her difficulties at home her films won numerous awards outside of Bulgaria.