[1] In a career spanning over 30 years he is best known for directing and writing drama films such as Everybody's Fine, The Legend of 1900, Malèna, Baarìa and The Best Offer.

[3][4] Born in Bagheria,[5] near Palermo, Tornatore developed an interest in acting and the theatre from at least the age of 16 and put on works by Luigi Pirandello and Eduardo De Filippo.

Then, switching to cinema, he made his debut with Le minoranze etniche in Sicilia (The Ethnic Minorities in Sicily), a collaborative documentary film which won a Salerno Festival prize.

This evoked a positive response from audiences and critics alike and Tornatore was awarded the Silver Ribbon for best new director.

In 2007 he won the Silver George for Best Director at the 29th Moscow International Film Festival for The Unknown Woman.