Meet the Filmmaker of the Month: Sandra Mitrović

Sandra Mitrović is an award winning writer/director from Belgrade, Serbia.

Born and raised in Belgrade, she moved to London, UK at the age of 17 and graduated from London School of Film, Media and Performance in England. After that she lived in New York City for 6 years, completing her MFA in film directing at Columbia University. She graduated in 2019 with honors.

She has been involved in production of many short films as of 2003. She mainly worked on them as a director, screenwriter and producer. Her short film “Ostoja Will Move Your Piano” screened at many festivals worldwide and it won Best Screenplay Award at Rhode Island International Festival, Best Foreign Short at San Diego International Film Festival, Best International Drama at Edmonton Film Festival, Jury Award for Best International Short Film at Santa Fe International Film Festival, etc. Her short film “Last Call” is a 2019 National Board of Review Student Grant Award Winner.

Her first feature film A Three Storey Comedy screened at many festivals world wide and won multiple awards at festivals.

Winner (Best Director) – Breck Film Festival 2023
Winner (Best Comedy) – Breck Film Festival 2023
Winner (Best Leading Actor) – Cyprus International Film Festival 2023 Winner (Best Cinematography) – Cyprus International Film Festival 2023 Winner (Best Production Design) – Cyprus International Film Festival 2023 Winner (Best Editing In a First Feature) – Cyprus International Film Festival 2023 Winner (Audience Award) – Walter Fest 2022
Winner (Best Leading Actor) – Filmski Susreti 2022
Finalist – Antakya International Film Festival 2023
Selection – Brooklyn Film Festival 2023
Selection – Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival 2023
Selection – St. Louis International Film Festival 2023
Selection – The Women’s Film Festival 2023
Selection – San Diego International Film Festival 2023
Selection – Madrid International Film Festival 2023

From 2022-2024 she directed 5 episodes of a new Dean Devlin’s show called “The Ark” for NBC and Syfy channel.

In 2024 she directed 2 episodes of The Librarians The New Chapter for CW.

Sandra is currently based in Belgrade, developing her second feature and limited TV series for Telekom Srbija.

Tell us your backstory. How and why did you get into filmmaking?

As far as I can remember I was always interested in the art of storytelling. I was born during the Yugoslav war, in a country that was falling apart in all of its economic, sociological and cultural aspects. That childhood experience has had a strong influence on my perspective of the human condition and on my storytelling.

I was a very imaginative child, writing poems, stories, anything to feed my imagination. My passion for filmmaking truly began when I received my first camera as a teenager. That led me into a visual way of telling stories. I started by shooting short films with friends, experimenting with various techniques and narratives.

As a teenager I realized that filmmaking is something that I want to do professionally. It made me feel fulfilled and gave me a sense of purpose quite early in life. Immediately after finishing high school I moved to London to pursue an education in filmmaking and I have been on this path since then. I hold BA from London School of Film, Media and Performance in England and MFA from Columbia University in New York.

In my studies, I was fortunate to learn from industry veterans and collaborate with fellow aspiring filmmakers.

Since then, I have directed several short films that were very successful at film festival and my first feature film “A Three Storey Comedy” that also did very well in the cinema and at festivals.

What’s harder? Getting started or being able to keep going? And what drives you to continue making films?

Getting started in filmmaking is undeniably challenging. Securing funding, building a network, and gaining credibility can take a long time. Competition is big and you really need to prove that your voice and vision are unique enough and that you deserve a chance.

However, once you break through those initial barriers, the passion for storytelling fuels the drive to keep going.

What drives me to continue making films is the profound impact stories can have on individuals and society. I am deeply motivated by the possibility of evoking emotions, sparking conversations, and providing new perspectives through my work. Each film is

an opportunity to explore something different and connect with audiences on a meaningful level. The collaborative process of filmmaking, working with talented individuals is definitely one more thing that fuels my drive.

How do you know when your story’s finished, when to walk away?

One of my professors at Columbia was always saying “ You never actually finish the script. You just run out of time and you have to start filming. “ I agree with that. Filmmaking is such a “live” process that things are changing every day.

But generally I always try to assess whether the story reached a natural conclusion. If the narrative arc feels resolved and I feel that the themes are fully explored, it’s a good sign. Stepping away and revisiting the story with fresh eyes helps in making the final call.

In writing as well as in editing I rely on feedback from trusted collaborators and I always do screen tests with them.

Ultimately, the decision to walk away is a blend of creative satisfaction and practical realities. It’s about finding a balance where the story feels complete and the vision has been faithfully realized, while also acknowledging the limits of time and resources.

But always at the end when I watch my film after some time there are so many things I would do differently. I feel that’s a normal part of this creative process.

What is your favorite aspect of film production?

I feel most like myself when I’m directing on set. In the moment it can be anxious crazy and intense, but amidst the chaos I feel in control and prepared.

I love working with actors. I think it’s a unique experience to see actors develop a character beyond what I thought it could be, and then to see that character come alive gives me a pure sense of happiness. I’ve been blessed to have worked with very good and experienced actors who have trusted my guidance, judgment and vision, and for a young female director that’s a strong validation that gives me a sense that I belong in this industry.

Another element of directing that is important to me is storytelling through my shot selection and constant choices that I make on set and in editing. For me that is the soul of directing. There are so many choices in every aspect of directing and each one of them is important, and that inspires me to think deeply about them and try to stay true to my vision and consistent in my approach.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I find inspiration mostly in the things and people around me. Life experiences, emotions, and relationships often serve as powerful catalysts for my storytelling.

My inspiration comes from a blend of introspection, observation, and interaction with the world around me. Each of these sources enriches my storytelling and hopefully helps me create more meaningful and engaging films.