Claudia Bershadskaya is a Russian film director and graduate of the prestigious All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK), one of the top ten film schools globally. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to telling deeply human stories, often exploring individuals in extraordinary or challenging circumstances.

Before pursuing filmmaking, Claudia worked as a flight attendant, an experience that shaped her perspective and inspired her creative approach. In 2021, she founded her own film studio, Human Pictures, in Russia. Since then, she has directed films addressing critical social and humanitarian issues, earning widespread recognition at both national and international levels.

Claudia’s work often takes her and her team to extreme and diverse locations, including Africa, Cape Horn in Argentina, and the Philippines, reflecting her dedication to capturing the resilience and complexity of the human spirit.

Films

Fly (Student Film, 2016)

Synopsis: A documentary exploring aviation disasters, featuring the story of Tatyana Egorova, a plane crash survivor.

Recognition: Screened at Flahertiana (Russia), Listopad (Belarus), and Overcome (Brazil).

Mission (Graduation Film, 2018)

Synopsis: Shot in Kenya, this documentary reflects Claudia’s early exploration of human endurance in challenging environments.

System Error (2023)

Synopsis: A powerful exploration of pediatric organ transplantation, highlighting Russian surgeon Mikhail Kaabak’s groundbreaking techniques and personal struggles with the healthcare system.

Awards

• Golden Winged Leopard International Film Festival – Finalist, Belarus, (Listopad), Award of Recognition
• Cinema Verite, Tehran International Documentary Film Festival – Official Selection, Tehran, Iran, December 11, 2024
• White Bird Film Festival – Best Documentary / Nominated, Kazan, Russia, April 16, 2024 (World Premiere)
• White Bird Film Festival – Best Director, Kazan, Russia, 2024 (System Error)
• Listopad Film Festival – Best Documentary, Belarus, 2018 (Fly)
• Won Together – Best Student Direction, Russia, 2017 (Fly)

• Multiple Official Selections – Flahertiana (Russia), Overcome (Brazil), and others (Fly).