Ivan Pavlov graduated in Film and TV directing from National Academy of Theatre and Film Art, Sofia, Bulgaria in classes of Christo Christov (1978). His feature debut was "Mass Miracle" (1981). "Hanging with an Angel" (1990) won special prix of the jury at Strasbourg International Film Festival, 1991. In 1993 he set up the production company Actpik. "From a scratch" (1996) won special prize of the jury at the National Film Festival "Golden Rose" Varna, 1996 and Bulgarian film critics' prize at the International Film Festival Varna "Love is folly", 1996, and was Bulgarian selection for Oscar nomination for foreign language film, 1998. "Fate as a Rat" (2001) won Best director award of the Union of the Bulgarian Filmmakers, 2003; Best director award at the International Film Festival "Golden Vityaz", 2003; Silver pl ate award at the "Festival Internacional de cinema da Figueira da foz", 2002 as well as the honor title of the International Federation of Film Society jury and the honor title of the International Press jury. This film was Bulgarian selection for Oscar nomination for foreign language film, 2001. Ivan Pavlov was president of the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers - 2 mandates: 2004 - 2007 - 2010; President of Filmauthor, 2002 - 2004; President of Copy BG - uniting Musicauthor, Filmauthor, Theatreauthor, Prophon, Arstistauthor , 2003 - 2009; Ministry of Culture representative at the Board of new Boyna film studios, 2008 - 2010; executive director of Bulgarian National Film Archive, 2010 - 2012; Director of Bulgarian National Film Archive, 2012 - 2013. He was elected on 26th of September 2013 for a 3rd time as a President of the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers.