is born in 1956 in Pärnu, Estonia. He graduated from the Tallinn Technical University, faculty of electro-energetics as the engineer of electric networks and systems.
After the finishing university in 1982 he changed career and went to the «Tallinnfilm» studios to make animated films. At first as animator and from 1983 as film director. Among his anima-films there are a lot of prized films like:
DOVE AUNT. Best animated film in a III Soviet Union Young Filmmakers Festival in Kishinjov, 1983
GIRAFE. III price in Soviet Union Animated Film Festival in Repino, 1986 Nominated for Nike (Russian Oscar) in animated film category, 1987
THEATRE PAPA CARLO. Grand Prix in XIII International Filmfestival Cinanima in Portugal, 1989, Selected in competition program at International Film Festival in Cannes, 1989.
II price in Soviet Union Animated Film Festival in Tbilisi, 1988
NOBLESSE OBLIGE. Nominated to NIKE ( Russian Oscar) in animated film category 1989
II price in Soviet Union Animated Film Festival in Bolshevo, 1990. Was in special program «Best Of The World» of the 4th International Animation Festival in Japan, Hiroshima, 1992
LIVINGROOM. Won Kentaur, Best animated film price in St. Petersburg Short Film Festival «Message to Man» 1994. Awarded with personal price by Jury member Rosella Lamina in 11th International Odense Film Festival 1995. Special Price Of Jury in 1st International Film Festival in Antalya, 1995
DEAR MISTER MOON. Kinder and Jugendfilm Jury price at Cottbus Filmfestival in Germany, 1998.
Kinder jury price in 5thFestival International de Cine Para Ninos (…y no tan Ninos) in Mexico City 1999.
BIRTHDAY CAKE. Commercial. Promotional Award for excellent realization in the 38th Festival of the All Japan Radio & Television 1998.
In 1991 he established her own studio «Rao Heidmets Filmstudio».
In 1998 he finished his 1st professional feature film as director and producer - the all family action film «Dear Mister Moon».
In 1990 he was a member of Jury at International Filmfestival Cinanima in Portugal.
He have also made several workshops to students and children:
Animation Film Festival workshop for animators in Stuttgart, Germany.
Workshop for film students – principles of puppet film making – at Volda's University in Norway. Animation workshops for children in Mexico, in Estonia.
Principles of puppet film making – workshop at America in Dartmouth colleges.
First personal exhibition of graphics and drawings in Cinema House of Tallinn, in 1986.
Exhibition as a member of artist group «Tallinnfilmi sürrealistid» in Tantsutare, Tallinn, in 1986.
Exhibition as a member of artist group «Tallinnfilmi sürrealistid» in Tartu Art Museum, 1987.
Exhibition as a member of artist group «Esttranssürr» in Vaasa, Finland, in 1988.
Exhibition as a member of artist group «Reanimierungsfeld» in Germany in Bielefeld, in 1993.
He have made the coproduction programs for TV with Utbildningsradio in Sweden and in Bielefeld local TV in Germany.
Since 1996 he is a foreman of Estonian Animation’s Union.
Since 1997- 1999 he is a member of Estonian Film Foundation’s Expert Board.
Since 1999-2001 he is a executive producer in Estonian State TV in Children and Youth Programs.
In 1999 he participate in International Media Non Grata Festival in Tallinn.
In 2001 he was a member of Jury at XVII International Odense Filmfestival in Denmark.