Born in Sydney, Australia, Peter Weir emerged as a leading figure in the Australian New Wave cinema movement during the 1970s. He gained international prominence with his atmospheric and critically lauded film Picnic at Hanging Rock, which established his reputation for visual storytelling and thematic depth.

Weir's filmography is characterized by its genre-defying nature, ranging from historical dramas like Gallipoli and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World to psychological explorations such as Witness and The Truman Show. His work frequently examines the tension between individual identity and societal structures.

Throughout his career, Weir has received significant global recognition, including six Academy Award nominations. In 2022, he was honored with an Academy Honorary Award for his lifetime contributions to cinema, followed by an honorary lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival in 2024.