EXCLUSIVE: GET TO KNOW AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR – ELENA KOVALENKO

Elena Kovalenko, an award-winning filmmaker, is the visionary founder of thefilms.io and filminglocations.io. With over 15 years of experience, she has excelled as a writer, producer, director, videographer, and video editor. With a portfolio of critically acclaimed short films, one of Elena’s award-winning works was named by Forbes as one of the Best Films of 2017, solidifying her reputation as a visionary filmmaker. Elena is known for bringing strong direction, presence, and drive to every project she undertakes. Her filmmaking journey began after graduating as a chemist/pharmacist, attending summer Film School at the Odessa International Film Festival, and working as a VJ — an experience that transformed her vision and led her to pursue her true talents.

Fueled by her passion, she transitioned into a career as a filmmaker, producing and directing projects for some of the industry’s leading brands, including Adidas, Microsoft, IHG Hotels & Resorts (Voco, Holiday Inn), Marriott International (JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotel), Inglot, Dove, Tennis Channel, MetLife, Bayer, ARLA, Dubai Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism, Dubai Police, EY, Philip Stein, Hilton, Al Habtoor Group, and many more.

Read below our exclusive Q & A with Elena Kovalenko.

Q: Where are you originally from and where are you based now?

Elena Kovalenko – A: I was born and raised in Ukraine, but for the past decade, I’ve been based in Dubai, where I founded my production company and had the opportunity to grow professionally. Being in such a dynamic environment has allowed me to take on exciting projects and expand my work internationally. I also hold a Golden Residency as a director, which has been a valuable recognition of my contributions to the industry.

Q: Rising in the industry, what motivates and inspires you to be the best at your profession, and do you have a top 3 favorite directors that you want to work with within the business?

Elena Kovalenko – A: It’s hard to narrow it down to just three, as there are many directors I deeply admire. Some that come to mind are Wes Anderson, Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Mike Cahill, Terrence Malick, Yorgos Lanthimos, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Lars von Trier, Jordan Peele, Christopher Nolan, Bong Joon-ho, Sian Heder, and David Fincher. Of course, the list goes on—especially today, with filmmaking becoming more accessible, allowing diverse and exciting voices to emerge.

My source of inspiration is ever-changing. Sometimes, it’s a story – something I’ve experienced or heard. Other times, it’s an actor’s performance, a fleeting moment, or even a location. In fact, locations play a huge role in how I see the world. A few years ago, I launched Filminglocations.io – “Airbnb for Filmmakers”, a platform connecting property owners with filmmakers. We currently feature around 500 locations—these locations continue to inspire me as they come, each with its own unique storytelling potential. Since then, I think I’ve developed a kind of ‘professional deformation’—I can’t help but see every place as a potential filming location, whether it’s a friend’s house, a café, or even a party. I believe that if you’re an open and creative person, inspiration is everywhere—you just have to be receptive to it.

Q: Do you have a favorite genre of films to produce and direct? (Drama, Comedy, Action, Thriller, a little bit of all)?

Elena Kovalenko – A: Since the beginning of my career, I’ve challenged myself with different genres. My first film was a drama, followed by experimental and fashion films, and then comedy. For a period of time, I focused on documentaries, including a film about the war in Ukraine. That experience was deeply impactful, and after working on such intense subjects, I eventually found myself drawn back to comedy. I love exploring different styles, but if I had to choose, comedy would be the one. At this period of my life, it’s what I enjoy the most—but creativity evolves, and who knows, maybe later on, I’ll be drawn to something else. Maybe it’s because life is already dramatic enough, which is why I’m drawn to comedy. I don’t like to take life too seriously, and comedy has this incredible ability to lift people up. Also, working with actors who can bring humor to life in a unique way is a true blessing.

That said, comedy is also one of the most challenging genres to get right. Beyond having a strong script and talented, charismatic actors, it requires precise timing — knowing exactly when to pause for reactions, how to pace scenes, and how to enhance the humor with the right music.

I also have a deep appreciation for psychological thrillers with unexpected twists—though for now, I enjoy them purely as an audience member.

Q: Can you share with us something people may not know about you? Any hobbies or other talents you have and/or like to do in your spare time?

Elena Kovalenko – A: As for hobbies, I travel a lot and love staying active. I’m passionate about swimming, beach volleyball, and beach tennis—anything that keeps me moving. I’m also deeply connected to nature; it’s something that always gives me a boost and fuels my inspiration. Above all, though, I love telling stories through visuals, of course.

Q: What are some projects that you’ve just wrapped up recently or that you’re currently working on?

Elena Kovalenko – A: As my current project, I’m in the middle of filming the comedy fashion short “Curriculum Vitae”. Alongside that, my main focus is on pre-production for my first feature film, Mr. Mortifying

“Bruce Mortimer, a 45-year-old stand-up comic who’s never been in love or had real responsibilities, joins Tinder for research—until he unexpectedly matches with Laura, a twice-divorced Spanish teacher with two teenage daughters, a dramatic gay brother, an awkward tenant, and a dog named Banana. When Bruce’s apartment goes condo and Laura’s tenant leaves, he convinces her to let him move in, turning their budding relationship into a secret, with her family becoming his subjects à la Jane Goodall to expand his comedy research routine. What possibly can go wrong?”

We have filmed the proof of concept, and I’m super excited to see how it all comes together for the full-length film!