We were lucky to catch up with Nadia Fortini recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nadia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My story with film began because I wanted to become an actress at a very young age. I was part of a theater group in Warsaw and later signed with an acting agency and landed my first role in a TV show at 15. Granted, it was a horrible, horrible TV show, but it was the first time I ever set foot on set. I was so pumped. Once I was there, I loved it, but I kept wishing I was behind the camera. I always had notes I wanted to give other actors but I knew it wasn’t my place. I started directing silly short movies soon after, for school or just with my friends. Every opportunity there was to make a film I took it. Haven’t wanted to do anything else with my life since. As for writing, that goes back to writing my own Winnie-The-Pooh stories at like 5. I always loved it, I was born with that passion. But the first time I ever got paid for it was at 22, when I worked as screenwriter for a Netflix streaming series. Unfortunately, it never ended up being produced.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an award-winning director and writer working in New York City, Los Angeles and Warsaw. I was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland, but moved to New York after receiving a scholarship at the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where I earned my BFA graduating with full honors. My first short film “Sen O Warszawie”, starring polish actress Helena Englert, received critical acclaim from the public. My second film “We Carry It Around” has won multiple awards at international film festivals and premiered at the Katra Film Series, playing at the Regal Cinemas in Times Square. My newest film and NYU thesis “The Space Between” is about to embark on it festival run so stay tuned! And follow us on Instagram for the updates! The film was produced by an all-female crew, something I plan to implement more as I advance in my career. My debut feature “Rusalki” is in development. I worked as a screenwriter for Netflix and hope to have an opportunity to be back in a writers room very soon. Additionally, I enjoy other visual mediums such as studio art and photography. I’m also a TikTok content creator with over 21k followers. Sometimes I do social media management on the side so hit me up if you need to up your social game haha.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to create more opportunities in Film and Television for people outside of the United States. There is a whole world of content out there, an entire pool of talent waiting to be discovered. As Bong Joon-ho said: “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Growing up outside of America, I know he’s right, but I also know American audiences watching foreign films is not enough. I believe we should incorporate international artists and international stories into the American Film & TV industry because for better or worse, that’s where this medium thrives. Even though “Parasite” winning Best Picture is a great precedent, the reality is if someone makes a movie in Hollywood, the whole world is going to see it, but if a girl makes a movie in Poland, it has to be a masterpiece for anyone outside of Poland to see it. I hope to be part of that changing one day.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I think I started TikTok at the perfect time. It was the pandemic, we were all bored. I did trends and stuff but eventually started to talk about my life in New York and my journey as an international student. People really responded to that. So I started making more videos on the topic and my audience grew. They started asking for help and tips on how to get into the best colleges in the US as non-citizens, how to get a scholarship etc. Influencers always talk about finding your niche, and I think that’s great advice, but it goes beyond that – listen to your audience. Build on what does well. The algorithm will be in your favor then as well. And be consistent! That one even I still have a problem with…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nadiafortini.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiakfortini/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-fortini-237b0a187/
• Other: TikTok – @nadiakfortini