Available to hire
Maria Ivanova began her career in 2010 as an actress at the independent theater Play in Sofia. In 2015, she moved to the United Kingdom to study Media Production at Coventry University, graduating with honors in 2018, specializing in fiction and documentary film. During her studies, she gained practical skills in filmmaking, television and radio broadcasting, podcasting, and photography.
Shortly after, she continued her education in Russia, first at the preparatory faculty of the St. Petersburg State Institute of Cinema and TV, completing a course in dramaturgy and screenwriting at Lenfilm, and then at the Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK), specializing in Film and TV Directing, graduating with honors in 2024.
Throughout her studies, Maria combined academic work with hands-on experience, creating her own short films and participating in major projects and internships. Her short films have been screened at international festivals, earning recognition for their creativity and storytelling. Confident and enthusiastic, Maria is a dedicated professional in the film, media, and theatre industries.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
Bulgarian
Fluent
Russian
Advanced
English
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Work Experience
Director | Producer at Lèn
May 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025Directed and produced the music video "HER NAME IS MARINA", combining creative storytelling with on-set leadership and post-production oversight.
3rd Assistant Director at Talent Partners
November 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026Provided on-set assistance, coordination, and logistical support on the feature film Chamkoria.
1st Assistant Director | Creative Producer at Gala Films
September 1, 2025 - November 1, 2025Supported on-set direction and creative planning for the short film "Tomorrow".
2nd Assistant Director at Dynamic Arts Bulgaria
August 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025On-set assistance for the feature film "Balls", contributing to scheduling and crew coordination.
Assistant Director Intern and Content Manager at MEM Cinéma Production / Yellow, Black and White
April 1, 2023 - July 1, 2023Internship on the feature KHOLKOP 2, handling content management and on-set support.
Director | Producer | Screenwriter at VGIK
September 1, 2023 - May 1, 2024Directed and produced the short film "Five Breads, Four Letters and Two Lives"; wrote screenplay and managed production.
Director | Screenwriter at VGIK
January 1, 2021 - July 1, 2021Directed and wrote the short film "Maybe Fate..."; collaborated with peers on script and production.
Director | Cinematographer | Producer
January 1, 2016 - May 1, 2016Directed and photographed the short documentary "Anthony"; contributed to scripting and production decisions.
Director | Cinematographer
January 1, 2017 - May 1, 2017Cinematography and direction for the short documentary "Paseos de Lisboa" (Lisbon, Portugal).
Director & Producer at Lén
June 1, 2023 - November 1, 2024Directed and produced the music video 'Her Name Is Marina', coordinating creative direction, production logistics, and post-production planning.
3rd Assistant Director at Chamkoria (Talent Partners)
November 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026Supported the director on a feature film, assisting with on-set coordination, scheduling, and logistics.
2nd Assistant Director at Balls
August 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Second assistant director on a feature film, aiding on-set operations and script coordination.
1st Assistant Director at Tomorrow
September 1, 2025 - November 1, 2025First assistant director on a short film, overseeing production logistics and on-set management.
Assistant Director Intern & Content Manager at MEM Cinema Production, Yellow, Bulgaria
April 1, 2023 - July 1, 2023Assisted the director, managed on-set content, and supported production coordination for short film 'Kholop 2'.
Director | Cinematographer | Producer at Paseos de Lisboa (short documentary)
January 1, 2017 - May 1, 2017Directed and shot a short documentary while managing production and post-production activities.
Director | Producer | Script Writer at VGIK / Five Breads, Four Letters and Two Lives (short film)
September 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024Directed, produced and wrote for a short film; festival-screened works.
Production Coordinator / Assistant Producer at Black Sea Film
July 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023Production coordination for Cats Don't Grow Roots (short film).
Director | Producer at VGIK
January 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023Directed and produced the short film Dog - Truth.
3rd Assistant Director Intern at Universal Pictures / Flagman
September 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021Worked as 3rd AD on The Master and Margarita (feature film).
Director | Producer at VGIK
January 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021Directed and produced the short film Maybe Fate...
Director | Script Writer at Semperia Films
January 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017Directed and wrote Sunday (short film).
Director | Cinematographer at Paseos de Lisboa
January 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017Directed and photographed Paseos de Lisboa (short documentary).
Director | Cinematographer at Antony (short documentary)
January 1, 2016 - May 31, 2016Directed and photographed an Antonhy short documentary.
Live Broadcast Director | Stage Manager at Gurudev Bulgaria Tour 2025 (Art of Living)
August 1, 2025 - August 31, 2025Directed live broadcasts and staged managed the tour.
Video Editor | Content Creator at Gurudev Bulgaria Tour 2025
June 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025Content creation for social media campaigns and events.
Video Editor at Safe Guard Global
April 1, 2025 - May 31, 2025Rebranding campaign video editor.
Social Media Manager | Photographer at Urbanize Shop
September 1, 2020 - March 1, 2021Managed social media presence and photography.
Live Broadcast Director & Stage Manager at GuruDev Bulgaria Tour (Art of Living)
August 1, 2025 - August 1, 2025Directed live broadcast segments and managed stage operations for a multi-city cultural tour.
Video Editor | Content Creator at GuruDev Bulgaria Tour
June 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025Edited promotional videos and social media content for 2025 campaigns.
Video Editor at SafeGuard Global
April 1, 2025 - May 1, 2025Edited video content for rebranding campaigns.
Social Media Manager / Photographer at Urbanize Shop
September 1, 2020 - March 1, 2021Managed social media presence and produced photography content.
Director / Producer / Script Writer at VGIK / MEM Cinema Production
January 1, 2021 - July 1, 2021"Maybe Fate..." short film; wrote scripts and directed
Assistant Director / Intern at The Master and Margarita (Feature Film)
September 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021Assistant director on a feature film produced by Universal Pictures and Flagman.
3rd Assistant Director / Intern at Chamakoria (Feature Film) - Talent Partners
October 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024Intern, assisting director on a Bulgarian feature.
1st Assistant Director / 2nd Assistant Director at Klarna + Apple (Photo Shoot / Campaign)
April 1, 2025 - April 1, 2025Assistant director and production support for commercial shoots.
2nd Assistant Director at Electronic Identification Campaign (Midwest)
July 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025Assisted in production for a commercial/informational campaign.
Education
BA + MA in Film and TV Directing at VGIK (Russian State Institute of Cinematography)
September 1, 2019 - July 1, 2024Theatre Directing Assistantship at GITIS (The Russian Institute of Theatre Arts)
September 1, 2024 - July 1, 2025Secondary Education at Instituto Bilingüe 'César Vallejo'
September 1, 2009 - June 30, 2014Theatre Directing Assistantship at GITIS
September 1, 2024 - July 1, 2025BA + MA in Film and TV Directing at Specialisation (BA + MA) in Film and TV Directing, VGIK
September 1, 2019 - July 1, 2024BA in Media Production at Coventry University
October 1, 2015 - November 1, 2018Secondary Education at Institute Bilingüe César Vallejo
September 1, 2009 - June 1, 2014Theatre Directing Assistantship (BA+MA) in Film and TV Directing at GITIS
September 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025Specialization (BA + MA) in Film and TV Directing at VGIK
September 1, 2019 - July 1, 2024BA in Media Production at Coventry University
October 1, 2015 - November 1, 2018Secondary Education at Institute bilingüe César Vallejo
September 1, 2009 - June 1, 2014Theatre Directing Assistantship at GITIS (The Russian Institute of Theatre Arts)
September 1, 2024 - July 1, 2025BA in Film and TV Directing at VGIK (All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography)
September 1, 2019 - July 1, 2024BA in Media Production at Coventry University
October 1, 2015 - November 1, 2018Secondary Education at Institute Cesar Vallejo, Sofia
September 1, 2009 - June 1, 2014Qualifications
Theatre Directing Assistantship
September 1, 2024 - July 1, 2025BA + MA in Film and TV Directing
September 1, 2019 - July 1, 2024BA in Media Production
October 1, 2015 - November 1, 2018Secondary Education
September 1, 2009 - June 1, 2014Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Non-Profit Organization
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Hire a Film Director
We have the best film director experts on Twine. Hire a film director in Sofia today.