Rasim Ismayilov was born in Baku.

 He studied at the cinematography faculty of the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography in Moscow (1958-1963, Boris Volchek's course).

In 1958, he began working as an assistant cameraman at the Baku film studio. For a while, he worked on Azerbaijani television. Since 1963, he has been a cameraman at the "Azerbaijanfilm" film studio, and since 1977, he has been a director. 

He taught at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art, wrote fairy tales and stories for children. The book "Flying Planes" was published posthumously.

Honored Artist (1976), State Prize laureate (1978) Rasim Ismayilov died in 2004.

Director, cinematographer Rasim Ismayilov was the husband of screenwriter Nadezhda Ismayilova.
Director Rasim Ismayilov is the brother of artist Rafis Ismayilov.