Peter Bussian is a renowned American independent filmmaker and photographer who has devoted the past 35 years to capturing the essence of native cultures, countries in conflict, and humanitarian issues through his lens. His remarkable work has garnered prestigious awards from the International Photography Awards, also known as the Lucies, and the Nicholl Fellowships.
Bussian has had the privilege of photographing in over 25 countries for a diverse range of organizations and media outlets, including Conde Nast, The Guardian, NY Times, LA Times, United Nations, USAID, and many others. His documentary and narrative films have taken him to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Iraq, Ethiopia, and several Native American tribes, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of people from all walks of life.
In addition to his impressive photography portfolio, Bussian is also the author and photographer of two captivating photography books: "Passage to Afghanistan" (Skyhorse, 2016) and "Trans New York" (Apollo, 2021). These books showcase his remarkable ability to capture the essence of his subjects through his photographs.
Beyond his work as a photographer and filmmaker, Bussian has also had a successful career as a film actor. He played the lead role in Golden Globe-winning Afghan Director Siddiq Barmak's film, Opium War, which was Afghanistan's official submission to the 2009 Academy Awards and won several film festival awards, including the Golden Marc'Aurelio Critics' Award for Best Film at the Rome Film Festival.
As a writer, Bussian has penned screenplays, including Scarlet Poppy, which was a semi-finalist for the Nicholl Fellowships (Oscars) and was featured at several prominent film festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival, International Film Festival of India, the Independent Filmmaker Project's "No Borders", Dubai International Film Festival, and the Cannes Film Festival.
Bussian's educational background is just as impressive, having studied filmmaking at the Anthropology Film Center in Santa Fe, NM, and holding a BA in history and philosophy from the University of Colorado.
