Ester Sparatore is a Sicilian director born in Palermo where she still lives today. She graduated in 2001 from the Academy of Fine Arts of Palermo after writing a thesis on the history of documentary. From 1999 to 2006, she worked for the production company CLCT Broadcasting in Palermo. At the same time, she was working as a video artist and presented her work through many exhibitions in Italy.
In 2011, she directed Palazzo delle Aquille with Stefano Savona and Alessia Porto. This documentary which focuses on the month-long occupation of the Palermo city hall by families of homeless citizens was selected at Cannes Film Festival (Acid selection) and received the highest distinction at Cinéma du Réel, as well as the Human Rights award at Bafici Film Festival.
In 2013, she made Mare Magnum a documentary covering the municipal elections on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa and where immigration was at the heart of all debates. The film had its world premiere at Cinéma du Réel Film Festival and was selected for Biografilm Fest.
In 2013, she started working on Those Who Remain, which had its World Premiere at Visions du réel in ‘International Competition’ in 2019.