Born and raised in Montreal, David Birnbaum began his career as a musician before heading out West to found the Imperial Theatre Company in Vancouver, then spent a decade in the television and motion picture industries there before turning his attention exclusively to directing. Notable works include Darkly Machiever (Best Film, EuroUnderground, Best Cinematography, USUF Belgrade), In with the Old World (Best Editing, Houston), and Found Objects (Best Film, Imaginaria, Best Cinematography, CSC and Best Film, Sopot).