Ziya Shikhlinski was born in Baku.

He studied at the Philology Faculty of Azerbaijan State University (1968-1973), and at the Higher Courses of Directing and Screenwriting in Moscow (1987-1989).

He worked as an assistant director and second director at the “Azerbaijanfilm” film studio. He worked as a director in the film magazines “Sovet Azerbaijan”, “Art”, “Ganj Nasil” (1985-1987).

He is an Honored Artist (2011).