**Georges Méliès (1861-1938)**, a French cinema pioneer and former illusionist, is considered one of the fathers of cinematic special effects and fantastic storytelling on the big screen.

While primarily a director, producer, and set designer, Méliès often acted in his own films, playing key roles such as Professor Barbenfouillis in **"Le Voyage dans la Lune" (1902)**, his most iconic work, or the magician/inventor.

Other important films include **"Le Royaume des fées" (1903)** and **"L'Homme à la tête de caoutchouc" (1901)**. His distinctive style was characterized by elaborate theatrical sets, visual tricks such as stop-motion, dissolves, superimpositions, and the use of hand-painted color, creating dreamlike, surreal, and magical worlds. He transformed cinema from a mere document into a narrative and visually spectacular art form.