my journey so far
Growing up in Donetsk, Ukraine, I discovered my love for creating visual stories at a young age. Inspired by behind-the-scenes videos of film shoots, I knew I had found my calling. In 2014, due to the russian invasion of my homeland, my family and I had to flee to Kyiv, where I continued my education.
In 2018, I took an acting course at the Kyiv Theater Studio "11". These experiences introduced me to a professional approach to acting and deepened my understanding of working with actors.
In 2019, I enrolled in the College of the Kyiv Film and New Media Academy, majoring in Audiovisual Arts and Production. Throughout my studies, I worked on various student projects, including my short film "No Nest". Although the production faced difficulties and was ultimately canceled due to a lack of professional help, I learned valuable lessons about perseverance and the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
In 2022, I sought refuge in Prague, Czech Republic, due to russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While originally intending to resume my film studies, I unexpectedly found opportunities in photography and videography. Working with esteemed institutions and studios like Goethe Institut Prague and Dazzle Pictures, provided me with a unique blend of artistic vision and technical expertise.
In April 2022, when the US government announced a temporary asylum program for Ukrainian refugees, I took this opportunity and moved to the suburbs of Washington DC. There, I explored the path of a freelance filmmaker and got an internship at DC Camera rental house, where I immersed myself in the world of professional film equipment and production techniques, gaining invaluable knowledge and building my confidence in handling cinema tools.
In February 2023, I was awarded a scholarship to study film production at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. During my studies, I took part in a number of student projects, including short films, music videos, and other creative assignments. These experiences not only improved my technical skills but also helped me understand more about the art of collaboration and the craft of storytelling.
After graduating with my associate degree, I decided to pursue my dream of moving to New York City — the home of independent filmmaking. While continuing my film studies online through Full Sail, I am immersing myself in the vibrant film community here.
After everything I've been through, I'm just excited to see where this path will take me.