Yusif Sheykhov was born in Baku. He studied at the Petrochemical Institute for two years (1969-1970), then at the Directing Faculty of the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts (1970-1975).

In 1975, he began working as an assistant director at the “Azerbaijanfilm” film studio. Later, he worked at the State Cinematography Committee (1979-1985), head of the “Azerkinoprokat” department (1985-1990), deputy general director of the “Azerkinovideo” Production Association (1990-2001), specialist and sector head at the Ministry of Culture (2001-2006) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2006-2018), and chief specialist at the State Film Fund (2018-2021).

He began his film career while still in school, playing one of the main characters in the film “The Magic Robe”. Later, he became a scriptwriter and editor of many feature, documentary, and animated films.

He is an Honored Worker of Culture (2000).