Francis Ford Coppola (born 1939) is an acclaimed American director, screenwriter, and producer. He emerged as a central figure of the "New Hollywood" in the 1970s, distinguished by his auteurist vision and ability to create ambitious works.

He is universally known for seminal works such as the first two installments of *The Godfather* (1972, 1974), which redefined the gangster genre and earned him numerous Oscars, *The Conversation* (1974), a tense psychological thriller, and the war epic *Apocalypse Now* (1979).

His style is characterized by grand and profound storytelling, exploring themes of power, family, corruption, madness, and human psychology with complex visual mastery. A multiple award-winning filmmaker, Coppola has shaped modern cinema, influencing generations of filmmakers.