My Story

My Story

I was born in Ukraine in 1990, where my passion for cinematography began at the age of 15. My friends and I loved rollerblading, and we filmed our tricks to share with others. My first exposure to editing came when a friend who worked in television helped us polish and post our videos online. Occasionally, I’d help with filming, and unknowingly, this small hobby planted the seeds for my future career.

During my university years, although I studied Computer Science at a Construction and Architecture University, storytelling never left me. My friends and I created a short film about aliens, and to our surprise, it won an award at the university festival. It was a small but meaningful validation of my growing passion for filmmaking.

After graduating in 2013, I began working as a salesperson at a wholesale trading company. Even in this role, I couldn’t resist picking up the camera—I started creating unboxing videos and promotional content for the company’s products. That experience gave me the confidence to pursue filmmaking full-time.

In 2014, I moved to Baku, Azerbaijan, and embraced a new chapter as a full-time filmmaker. I began by producing videos for social media, helping local shops and businesses elevate their brand presence. Soon, I found myself working on major projects, such as:

• The 2015 Baku European Games: I photographed the Olympic Fire Tour across Azerbaijan.

• The World Chess Tournament Promo Videos: Capturing the elegance of chess through visual storytelling.

• Eurovision Song Contest: I contributed as part of the production crew for promotional content.

I also started working with artists, creating music videos, and collaborating with the media company Euromedia as a freelance filmmaker.

In 2018, I relocated to Dubai, a city brimming with opportunities. My portfolio grew as I worked on significant projects such as:

• Filming events like the Dubai World Government Summit and Pirelli’s corporate events.

• Producing commercial content for global brands like Carrefour.

• Editing a short film submitted to the Cannes Film Festival.

My journey then took me across continents. I was invited to film documentaries in Cabo Verde and Rwanda, capturing authentic stories from Africa. I also worked on TV productions, including as a cameraman for the show Guy in Dubai.

One of my most unforgettable experiences was being part of the behind-the-scenes team for the blockbuster movie Al Kameen (The Ambush), directed by the renowned Pierre Morel. I spent three months with an incredible crew, immersing myself in the process of big-budget filmmaking.

In recent years, I’ve embarked on personal projects that reflect my love for meaningful storytelling. My documentary, Secrets of Bukhara: Arabic Calligraphy, dives into the spiritual and cultural heritage of the region.

Throughout my journey, I’ve been guided by incredible mentors, including Saud Al Kharkan, a prolific writer with over 60 books. His teachings about meaningful storytelling continue to inspire me to create narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.

From capturing rollerblading tricks to filming global events and heartfelt documentaries, my journey as a filmmaker has been one of passion, persistence, and the pursuit of storytelling excellence.