Sergei Loznitsa was born on 5 September 1964 in the city of Baranovitchi, Belarus. At the time, Belarus was part of the Soviet Union. His family later moved to Kiev, Ukraine, where Loznitsa finished high school. In 1981, he was admitted to the Kiev Polytechnic Institute, majoring in applied mathematics and control systems. In 1987, he graduated in engineering and mathematics. From 1987 to 1991, Sergei Loznitsa worked as a scientist at the Institute of Cybernetics. During this time he developed a strong interest in filmmaking and in 1991 he applied for admission to the Russian State Film Institute in Moscow. After passing a very strict selection, Sergei Loznitsa was admitted to the Institute. He studied in Nana Dzhordzhadze's studio. In 1997, he graduated with honours in film production and directing. Since 2000, he has produced works in the St Petersburg Documentary Film Studio. In 2000 he was awarded the “Nipkov Programme” scholarship in Berlin. In 2001, Loznitsa emigrated with his family to Germany. Sergei Loznitsa has directed 22 internationally acclaimed documentaries and 4 feature films.