Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Gus Van Sant studied at the Rhode Island School of Design before going to Los Angeles. He attracted immediate attention with his first feature, Mala Noche (1985), which received the Independent/Experimental Film and Video Award of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. His films marked the independent film scene of the 90s, notably: Drugstore Cowboy (1989), My Own Private Idaho (1991), Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993) and To Die For (1995). Good Will Hunting (1997) was nominated for nine Oscars, including best director. He then directed Psycho (1998), Finding Forrester (2000), and Gerry (2002). En 2003, Elephant was honored at Cannes with the Palme d'or, the Directing Prize and the Prix de l'Education Nationale.