Baz Luhrmann

Before: Bit-part actor and director of a theatre stage company in Sydney.

At Cannes: Luhrmann’s first film, Strictly Ballroom, based on one of his earlier stage productions, had its premiere at Cannes in 1992. The director was awarded the Prix De Jeunnese for outstanding work by a young director.

After: Luhrmann goes on to reinvent the musical with his gaudily awesome Shakespeare adaptation Romeo & Juliet, and his downright fabulous Parisian reverie Moulin Rouge.