When I was a child, I was not very interested in cinema. I watched films mainly as a way to pass the time or to have some fun. I preferred playing with other children or spending time on video games. However, everything changed when I saw a film that completely transformed the way I look at cinema. The film was The Wind Rises by Hayao Miyazaki. Watching it as a teenager was an extremely powerful experience for me. It was a very mature film, yet also deeply dreamlike. That animated film changed my understanding of what cinema could be.
After that moment, I began to explore the world of film more seriously. At first, I watched many YouTube videos to learn the basics. Later, I studied more academic texts, such as Film History by Kristin Thompson and David Bordwell, and professional works like Directing Lessons, which contains the notes of a student of director Sergej M. Ejzenstejn. These and many other readings helped me build a stronger foundation in film theory and directing.
I also read a book about creativity and neuroscience. It explained that when the brain is engaged in creative activity, the areas connected to episodic memory become active. This means that when a person creates, they naturally mix their lived experiences and perceptions into what they produce. This discovery motivated me more than anything else. It pushed me to watch more sophisticated and historically important films, so I could enrich the “toolbox” of my creative process with new ideas and techniques. I realised that real-life experiences are essential, but other people’s artistic interpretations are equally important for personal growth.
Although live-action cinema has had a strong influence on me, I am particularly interested in directing animated films. I have a deep passion for figurative art, and animation allows me to combine storytelling with visual expression in a way that feels natural to me. On a practical level, my first step is to participate in animation festivals with short films. If I manage to attract the attention of a wider audience or potential funders, I would like to move on to feature-length projects.
I know that this journey will be long, complex and challenging. The industry is extremely competitive, and the rise of new AI technologies is changing the landscape. These tools are still developing and are not yet capable of reaching the highest artistic levels of animation, but they still influence the future of the field. Despite these difficulties, I truly enjoy telling stories through images. Even if I am not able to convince a large audience of my artistic vision, I will continue creating. Today, despite the enormous amount of digital content, there are countless opportunities to share one’s work. Social media allows creators to connect with people all over the world and to show their creations to a global audience.
For all these reasons, I want to go all the way on this path and pursue it with commitment and dedication.
“If you want to create something, create it. Then announce it, present it. Connect with the world!” -Game Director Hideo Kojima
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