After finishing gymnasium in Peja, Sahatçiu studied literature at the University of Belgrade.
Following the interruption of his studies due to compulsory military service, he worked as a translator for the publisher, Rilindja.
[2] He later studied at the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb, Croatia, and defended his thesis with staging Gogol's satirical play, The Government Inspector, at People's Provincial Theatre in Pristina.
[3][8][9] In 2018, Kosovo's Ministry of Culture posthumously honored Sahatçiu with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinematography.
[12] In 2021, Posta e Kosovës issued postage stamps in its 'Arti skenik – Besim Sahatçiu dhe Leze Qena' series, commemorating Sahatçiu and Leze Qena.