Tahir Hamut Izgil is a modernist Uyghur poet, filmmaker, and activist renowned for his contribution to avant-garde Uyghur poetry in the 1990s. His creative works are deeply influenced by Uyghur life and culture. Izgil began his literary journey with the publication of his first poem in 1986 and quickly rose to prominence as a leading modernist poet writing in Uyghur. His poetry has been recognized internationally, with translations appearing in Asymptote, Off the Coast, Crazy Horse, and other publications.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Izgil has made substantial contributions to the world of filmmaking. Since the late 1990s, he has worked as a film director, establishing his own production company. Izgil's repertoire includes feature films, documentaries, and various other projects that have garnered acclaim.

Despite his success, Izgil faced challenges as an intellectual amid the crackdown on Uyghurs. His memoir, Waiting to Be Arrested at Midnight, published in 2023, provides a poignant account of the events leading up to his emigration to the West. Currently, Izgil resides in exile in the United States, living in Washington, D.C. with his wife and three children.