A literature and philosophy student who did extensive postgraduate work on German literature at Oxford, Polish-born Pawel Pawlikowski left the world of British television documentary to announce himself to the British film community with his debut feature Last Resort (2000). The 16mm film earned international critical acclaim and remarkable receptions at project numerous festivals including Toronto and Sundance and garnered Pawlikowski the 2001 BAFTA award for "Most Promising Newcomer in British Film." His film My Summer Of Love (2004) won the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film at the BAFTA Award s in 2005.

In 2004 became Creative Arts Fellow at Oxford Brookes University, following a major grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Board. Pawlikowski will spend three years at the University, undertaking research into the realist genres of contemporary film-making in Britain, and interacting with staff and students on the University's new degree in Film Studies.His top ten films include (in alphabetical order): Ashes and Diamonds, A Blonde in Love, Cul-de-Sac, Days of Heaven, La dolce vita, Do You Remember Dolly Bell?, Mirror, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Some Like It Hot, Taxi Driver.