Yoram Gross(1926-2015)

Yoram Gross is Australia's leading animation Producer and Director. Internationally acclaimed for his films and television series, Yoram has established a world-wide reputation for the adaptation of children's characters from books and films to animation that win the hearts of children worldwide. Yoram is known as a storyteller whose distinctive, non-violent films and series possess a contemporary charm that crosses all international barriers. Yoram has a rich personal history and uses the mediums of film and television to share his life experiences. Born in Kraków to a Jewish family, Yoram endured World War II under the Nazi regime. His family was on Oskar Schindler's infamous list, but chose to make their own risky escape, moving hiding places 72 times. Yoram looks back on these times as a valuable catalyst. He has a lot to say to children and every one of his films contains a message, including loyalty, peaceful resolve and good winning over evil. Yoram first entered the film industry in 1947 in Kraków, commencing his career as an assistant to Polish directors Cenkalski and Buczowski, as well as the Dutch director Yoris Ivens. In 1950, Yoram moved from Europe to Israel, where he worked as a newsreel and documentary cameraman. He then became an independent film producer and director and began winning prizes at film festivals all over the world. Yoram now holds more than 80 international awards for his various films. In 1968 together with his wife Sandra and their young family Yoram moved to Australia. There, Yoram continued to make experimental films and produced film clips for the popular weekly television music program 'Bandstand'. That same year, Yoram and Sandra established Yoram Gross Film Studios - initially working from home and eventually expanding the company into Australia's most prolific and well-known animation production house. Yoram's films and series have been enjoyed all over the world and his audience continues to grow from day to day. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia for his outstanding achievements and for his contribution to the Australian film industry.