Many dream of becoming a filmmaker, but only a few dare to risk everything for it. I am one of those few.
After completing my film studies at the New York Film Academy, I sold everything I owned and invested in my independent film production studio in Amsterdam. I filled it with some of the finest filmmaking gear, convinced that with the same energy we had in film school—where we made a short film every day and screened it on weekends—my classmates and I could complete a feature film in one month.
But reality wasn’t as ideal. Instead of teamwork, creativity, and spirit, my friends brought only egos. A project that could have been completed in weeks never saw the light of day. The result was a devastating financial loss. Yet, I didn’t give up.
Building from Nothing in Poland
Life brought me to Poland, where I started again as a photographer and videographer. Some jobs were unpaid, some paid too little, and sometimes there was no work at all. Still, I kept going. I even worked briefly in journalism. Every person I met, I tried to inspire: “Let’s complete a film, let’s tell a story for festivals.” But in a country where film schools are some of the best in the world, independent filmmakers like me were rarely taken seriously.
I faced hundreds of rejections—from models, aspiring actresses, and filmmakers who themselves had no commercial work yet dismissed my vision. They all dreamed of blockbusters with big names, while I wanted to tell authentic stories with the resources we had.
Lessons from Rejections
Not every meeting was fruitful. I once traveled hours to meet a fellow New York Film Academy student, only to hear she would only work with famous directors, a large crew, and a guaranteed paycheck. That day, I realized that many dream of cinema, but few live for it.
From 2008 to 2019, I faced over 100 rejections every year. Still, I learned to smile through it. I stopped wasting money on dates and drinks and invested every bit into my craft. Passion kept me alive where frustration could have destroyed me.
Breakthrough: “That Girl from Ukraine”
The turning point came during COVID-19 lockdowns. With life at a standstill, I decided to act as a model for a Swiss Made watch brand, which sparked my Stylish Indian blog. At the same time, a friend from film school connected me with an actress. She rejected my filmmaking style but told me something unforgettable: “If a story touches my heart, I will do it for free.”
That inspired me to write That Girl from Ukraine. She loved it. We filmed it with minimal resources—me as writer, director, producer, editor, even supporting actor—and her as the lead. The film was selected in over 35 international film festivals and won more than 10 awards.
For the first time, I felt my father’s words—“Work hard and continue dreaming; one day, you’ll earn the chance to live your dream”—come true. He passed away in 2019, but I knew he smiled from above.
In the Name of My Father
Inspired again, I created my second film, In the Name of My Father, based on my father’s life. Soon, I had not one but two feature films completed, waiting for post-production and festival runs.
Criticism came, of course. Some said my posters were weak, others didn’t like my angles, some mocked the idea of guerrilla filmmaking. But I reminded myself—when I asked for teamwork, no one joined me. When I did it alone, they criticized. That’s the reality of dreams: you keep walking, no matter who doubts you.
Expanding into Music and Storytelling
My creative journey didn’t stop at films. I ventured into music production with my studio, writing and composing songs from my heart. My first music video, In the Name of My Father, was a tribute to my dad—a project I wrote, sang, and edited myself.
Today, I have:
- 1 completed award-winning feature film (That Girl from Ukraine)
- 2 feature films in post-production
- 1 completed music video (In the Name of My Father)
- Countless stories still waiting to be told
What I Believe
Filmmaking isn’t about budgets or fame. It’s about telling stories that matter. I believe in simple truths:
- You don’t need the whole world to applaud—make one person happy, and it’s worth it.
- Passion keeps you alive; frustration kills dreams.
- Ignore critics, embrace believers.
I am a filmmaker, photographer, storyteller, and dreamer. My journey proves that rejection doesn’t define you—resilience does.
You can see some of my works on my blog Stylish Indian www.stylishindian.co
I still believe in believing
If You too believe in yourself and feel the creative inspiration for works, I’d say, let’s team together and create some meaningful content together. Send me an e-mail, let’s have a video conference and let’s talk and discuss our passions and dreams and, perhaps, we will have a story to tell
Studio Asiemik
www.studioasiemik.com
e-mail: studioasiemik@yahoo.com
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