Neill Blomkamp got his start in the movie industry as a special effects artist but his work on short films and commercials brought him to the attention of Peter Jackson, who handpicked him to be the director of the planned Halo adaption. When the series failed to come together, Blomkamp proceded to make his 2009 debut film District 9, with the help of Jackson's funding. District 9 became one of the years sleeper hits, earning over a 100 million dollars in the U.S and picking up an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. District 9 is considered to be a modern sci-fi classic and by itself earns Blomkamp a high ranking on this list. His follow-up film, this years Elysium, sounds like it well be very similar to District 9 and should be one of the years more interesting films. Blomkamp has a number of films being considered for his next feature and he reportedly has not ruled out eventually trying again at adapting Halo. Filmography: District 9 (2009)