Robert Bilheimer

Bob Bilheimer

Robert Bilheimer, President of Worldwide Documentaries, Inc., is a director, writer, and producer with an international background in film, theatre, journalism, and creative writing. Robert’s films focus on subjects of cultural, social, and humanitarian interest. In 1989, he received his profession’s highest honor—an Academy Award nomination—for Cry of Reason, a feature-length documentary that tells the story of South African anti-apartheid leader Beyers Naude. Shortly after his Oscar nomination Robert directed and produced I’m Still Here, a film about schizophrenia and serious mental illness, and a film adaptation of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, adapted by the author, for the Smithsonian Institute’s Visual Press. In 2003, Robert completed A Closer Walk, a film about the global AIDS epidemic that is widely regarded as a masterpiece. A Closer Walk is the first in a trilogy of films Robert is making about “the way the world is.” The second film in the trilogy, Not My Life, premiered January 19, 2011 at Lincoln Center in New York City, and is a much anticipated depiction of the global affliction of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Robert has begun pre-production planning for his third film about “the way the world is,” Take Me Home, which describes our relationship as a human family to the planet on which we all live. Critics have praised Robert Bilheimer’s films as being “extraordinarily beautiful” and effective depictions of the most challenging and tragic issues of our time.

Throughout his career, Robert Bilheimer ’s films have attracted an international audience. They have been seen on television in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, South Africa and China. His films have also been shown in theaters in the United States and abroad; and exhibited at film festivals around the world including the Festival of Festivals in Toronto, the Chicago International Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, the Durban International Film Festival, the XXXVth India International Film Festival, and the Montreal World Film Festival. Early in his career, Robert worked as a freelance journalist. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, he was a stringer for Time magazine and filed regularly for the Nairobi Daily Nation, and Agence France Presse. Robert has also written theatre and opera criticism and as a college student won the American Academy of Poets Award for his trilogy of poems, “Going Into The Desert.” Robert’s experience in theater includes the direction of more than 30 professional regional productions in the US and Canada, including four seasons at The Rochester (NY) Shakespeare Theatre where Robert was Founder and Artistic Director, and a landmark interracial production of Brecht’s “Mother Courage” at the Kenya National Theatre. At the Manitoba Theatre Centre, he was Tony Award winner Len Cariou’s Associate Artistic Director, and was named Director of the Year by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for his direction of Samuel Beckett‘s “Endgame” and Arthur Miller‘s “The Price.” Robert was born in New York City and was educated at the International School in Geneva, Switzerland; Hamilton College (BA, Honors, English Literature); and Indiana University Graduate School (MA, Theatre and Film). He received the Army Commendation Medal for his work as Chaplain’s Assistant in the US Army Special Services, 1968-1970. From 1986 to 1988 he was a Resident Scholar at the Anson Phelps-Stokes Institute for Black American and Native American Studies in New York City.  Robert has also taught, lectured, or spoken distinguished academic institutions around the world, including the Eastman School of Music, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Radio Shows featuring Robert Bilheimer

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Oscar nominee director Bob Bilheimer tackles social issues, Lithuanian musician and good Packing

World Footprints is pleased to introduce our partner, Pack for a Purpose.  Did you know that just by setting aside a small space in your suitcase—5 lbs worth of space—that you could supply crucial education materials or simple medical supplies to children around the world?  Our friend, Rebecca Rothney founded “Pack … Read more  

The World Literature & Music Social Responsibility
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Oscar-nominated Directors: Greg MacGillivray & Robert Bilheimer

Academy Award-nominated director Robert Bilheimer continues his conversation with World Footprints about his background in theatre and filmmaking, decision to focus on socially conscious messages  

United States The Arts Human Trafficking