Vasif Babayev

Vasif Babayev was born in Baku.

He studied at the Azerbaijan State Theater Institute (1958-1965), and at the Higher Television Director Courses under Leningrad Television (1966).

He worked as an assistant director, director (1964-1969), chief director (1969-1991), and artistic director (1991-1994) at the Azerbaijan State Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee. He was the director of the Azerbaijani branch of the “MIR” Interstate Television and Radio Company (1994-1995), executive director of the “SARA” Independent Television and Radio Company (1996-1999), and vice-president of the Russian “Inter-AZ” Independent Television and Radio Company in Moscow (2001-2006).

He organized the “New Year: Blue Light” holiday television programs with them (1969-1987). Together with Nadezhda Ismayilova, he conducted research in the archives of the KGB and prepared a series of programs based on the personal cases of "political prisoners" (1987). In 1969-1982, he was the leading director of state events and broadcasts with the participation of Heydar Aliyev. In 1972-1987, he directed two-hour films about Azerbaijan broadcast by the USSR Central Television to the socialist countries via the Intervision system. He has directed the programs “A leaf from every plane tree”, “The song travels the city”, “Jazz monologue”, “Arzular” music mail, “Dalga”, “Meetings, memories”, “Saturday to Saturday”, “Druzhba studio”, “24 hours”, “Asiman”, “Song garden”, “17th floor”, “Bazar of Chance”, “Corypheylar”, “Arzular, congratulations”, “Shurum-burum”, “Rezonans”, “Hafta”, “Seddi gun”, “Kontakt”, “Sara-khabar”, “Dedim-dedi”, “Inter-Diaspora”.

He is the author and director of more than 40 documentaries. He was awarded prizes at various international and All-Union festivals for his films: for the film "Seaside Garden" he was awarded the prize in the debut nomination at the "Prometheus 67" Zone Film Festival (1967, Kiev), and the jury prize at the 1st All-Union Television Film Festival (1968, Moscow). For the film "Land of Golden Flowers" he received a diploma at the "Prometheus-69" Film Festival (1969, Tbilisi). The film "Soviet Azerbaijan" was awarded the Prize of the USSR Union of Journalists at the All-Union Television Film Festival (1977, Leningrad). The film "Sheki" received the Prize of the city of Nakhodka at the All-Union Television Film Festival (1978, Vladivostok). The film "Khuraman" received the Grand Prize - "Grand Prix" at the All-Union Television Film Festival (1979, Baku). The film "Azerbaijan is Moving Forward with Great Strides" was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the same Festival. The film “The Moment of Truth” received a diploma at the All-Union Festival of Television Films (1985, Kiev). He has served as a member of the jury and expert commissions at various festivals.

He is the “Distinguished Person of Television and Radio of the USSR” (1981). While working as the director of the Azerbaijani Representation of the Interstate Television and Radio Company “MIR”, the representation was awarded the international “Humay” award (1994). He was awarded the “Golden Fairy” award in the nomination “For contribution to the development of national television” (2018). He is an academician of the International Academy of Television and Radio.

Honored Artist (1977), People's Artist (1989).

Director Vasif Babayev is the brother of director Arif Babayev.