Called by some people as a genius in Philipine Cinema, Ishmael Bernal is often compared to if not considered as better than Lino Brocka, another institution in the Philippine Movie industry. Aside from studying at UP, Ishmael also went to University of Aix-en-Provence, France where he obtained a Licentiate in French Literature and Philosophy. Then he proceeded to India where he got Diploma in Film Directing in 1970 at the Film Insititue of India in Poona under the Colombo plan scholarship.

Aside from being a movie director, Ishmael is also a screen writer. He wrote and directed his first film, Pagdating Sa Dulo in 1971. He also worked as a TV director, as a professor at UP and PUP and as a lecturer in several workshops in filmmaking.

Movies

1. 1971 Pagdating sa Dulo (Reaching The Top)
2. 1971 Daluyong (Wave)
3. 1972 El Vibora (The Viper)
4. 1972 Inspirasyon (Inspiration)
5. 1972 Till Death Do Us Part
6. 1972 Si Popeye Atbp.
7. 1973 Pito ang Asawa Ko (Seven is My Husband)
8. 1973 The Sleeping Dragon
9. 1974 Scotch on the Rocks to Remember
10. 1974 Black Coffee to Forget (Unreleased)
11. 1974 Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko (Your Husband, My Lover)
12. 1974 Lumayo...Lumapit ang Umaga (Morning Goes, Morning Comes)
13. 1975 Ligaw na Bulaklak (Wildflower)
14. 1975 Babaeng Hiwalay sa Asawa (Anna Karenina) (The Woman Separated From Her Husband)
15. 1976 Tisoy (Mestizo)
16. 1976 Nunal sa Tubig (Speck In The Water)
17. 1976 Dalawang Pugad, Isang Ibon (Two Nests, One Bird)
18. 1976 Lahing Pilipino (Bonifacio Episode)
19. 1976 Walang Katapusang Tag-araw (Never Ending Summer)
20. 1977 Lagi Lamang ba Akong Babae? (Will I Always Remain Woman?)
21. 1978 Isang Gabi sa Iyo, Isang Gabi sa Akin (One Night With You, One Night With Me)
22. 1978 Ikaw ay Akin (Your Are Mine)
23. 1979 Menor de Edad (Underaged)
24. 1979 Boy Kodyak
25. 1979 Bakit may Pag-ibig Pa? (Why Is There Love?)
26. 1980 Aliw (Pleasure)
27. 1980 Salawahan (Unfaithful)
28. 1980 Good Morning Sunshine
29. 1980 Sugat sa Ugat (Wound In a Root)
30. 1980 City After Dark (Manila By Night)
31. 1980 Girlfriend
32. 1981 Pabling (Playboy)
33. 1982 Ito Ba ang Ating mga Anak? (Are These Our Children?)
34. 1982 Galawgaw (Unlady-like)
35. 1982 Relasyon (Relation)
36. 1982 Hindi Kita Malimot (I Can't Forget You)
37. 1982 Himala (Miracle)
38. 1982 Broken Marriage
39. 1984 Working Girls I
40. 1984 Shake Rattle and Roll - Pridyider Episode
41. 1985 Gamitin Mo Ako (Use Me)
42. 1986 The Graduates
43. 1987 Hinugot sa Langit (Snatched From Heaven)
44. 1987 Working Girls II
45. 1987 Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa (Picked Up From The Earth)
46. 1988 Nagbabagang Luha (Smouldering Tears)
47. 1989 Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (Lend Me One Morning)
48. 1992 Mahal Kita, Walang Iba (I Love You, No One Else)
49. 1994 Wating (Streetsmart)

TV Shows : Ang Makulay Na Daigdig Ni Nora, Dear Teacher, Isip Pinoy, and Lorna

Awards

1. 2001 - National Artist Award by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts
2. 1993 - ASEAN Cultural Award in Communication Arts in Brunei Darrussalam
3. 1990 - Gawad CCP Para sa Sining for film
4. 1983 - Bronze Hugo Award in the Chicago International Film Festival for Himala
5. 1983 - CMMA Best Director Award for Himala
6. 1981 - Most Outstanding Filmmaker of the Decade 1971-1980 bu the Manunuri ng Palikulang Pilipino (MPP)
7. 1977, 1983, 1985, 1989 - Urian Award for Best Director