Today we’d like to introduce you to Amira Kopeyeva.
Hi Amira, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a small coastal town called Aktau, in Kazakhstan. When I was 14, I decided I wanted to switch schools — the one in a nearby town had better courses that aligned more with what I was looking for. As the youngest child and only daughter, convincing my parents to let me go wasn’t easy. I remembered seeing an interview where a celebrity made a PowerPoint for their family to prove a point, so I did the same — laying out all the reasons I was responsible enough to move on my own to a town three hours away.
That presentation ended up opening an even bigger door. My parents said, “If you have a clear goal, why don’t we consider other possibilities too?” That’s how I ended up on the other side of the world, at a boarding arts high school in California at 15 years old. Idyllwild Arts Academy — tucked high in the mountains in the middle of a pine forest — became the place where I could fully dive into my art and build connections with other young artists who were just as passionate.
After graduating, I moved to Georgia to attend SCAD’s Film & TV program, focusing on Producing and Assistant Directing. It’s now been two years in Savannah, five years in the U.S., and over 80 sets later. I’ve gotten to work on such a wide range of projects — from $100M narrative features to travel documentaries, music videos, commercials, and so many collaborative, empowering films. I’ve also found some of my closest friends and creative partners — people I truly believe will help shape the next generation of Film & TV. I’m really stoked about the projects I’m working on right now and can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Obviously, every journey has its ups and downs. I’d be lying if I said I never felt lost, out of place, confused, or overwhelmed. Moving to a whole new place, chasing big goals as a kid, trying to take every opportunity without always knowing what’s good for you—and working three times as hard as an international girl just to get your work noticed—has been quite the ride.
But it also wouldn’t be right not to acknowledge the privileges I’ve had: a really supportive family, friends, mentors, and even strangers who helped me along the way. I’ve been lucky to travel, try new things, learn new cultures, meet people from all walks of life—and, honestly, to learn how much adaptability (and yapping) can get you through.
If it weren’t for the community I’ve found and the mix of experiences I’ve had—good and bad—I wouldn’t be where I am today or even half as content with how things are going and where they’re headed. Every journey has its hurdles, but that’s what makes it interesting, isn’t it?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in Producing and Assistant Directing—taking a project from ideation all the way to distribution, leading teams, and making sure everything stays on schedule and within budget. I genuinely love working with people and solving problems—it feels like putting together a giant puzzle. I’m not sure what people would say I’m known for, but what I hear most often is that I bring a calm, collected energy into any situation, with a smile, even when things feel impossible. Staying poised in high-stress moments and being someone people can count on has definitely gotten me a few compliments, and I take pride in that.
Almost everything I do revolves around people. Building a strong sense of community and creating the foundation for a smooth sailing on set is what lights me up. Those long hours feel completely worth it when I hear kind words from the crew.
Recently, I’ve also been diving into travel documentaries, which has been incredibly fulfilling on a different level. I’ve solo-traveled to Scotland and the Dominican Republic, capturing beautiful moments and meaningful stories that I hope to share soon. Right now, I’m planning a longer trip with a close friend and collaborator to explore new corners of the world and continue collecting voices and visuals that move people. Underwater photography, street photography, and interviewing strangers with wild life stories have become some of my biggest sources of joy on the road.
One thing I really value is being able to exist—and thrive—in both worlds: high-budget sets with large crews and intense stakes, and on-the-go, guerrilla-style filmmaking where you make it happen with whatever you’ve got. I love both, and I want to keep balancing them. The structure and scale of bigger productions teach me precision and collaboration at a high level, while the freedom and unpredictability of travel work sharpen my creativity and adaptability. Being comfortable in both spaces gives me perspective—and helps me find new ways to make my work stand out.
How do you think about happiness?
People. Connection. We’re social creatures at our core, and finding someone you’re on the same wavelength with feels like the whole world is hugging you. I love trying new things—visiting new places, learning new languages, experiencing different cultures, art, food, and all the unique ways people live their lives. Every new place or idea opens something up in me. A little while ago I tried surfing, and just last Sunday, I caught my first wave by myself—I was glowing. There’s something about the ocean and sunshine that just resets you. Scuba diving is another love—being completely present, aware of only your breath and the beauty around you, is both grounding and surreal. It’s like time stops underwater. I also love art history—how what we create can capture what we feel and how those feelings can travel through centuries. It’s proof that human experience is timeless. I’m definitely a bit of an adrenaline chaser too—skydiving, cliff diving, snowboarding, kitesurfing. Maybe that craving for high stakes is part of what draws me to the role of 1st AD. The structure, urgency, and constant movement of set life mirror what I love about motion and adventure. And the art of bringing people, stories, and ideas together and guiding them from a simple spark to a fully realized project as a producer also brings me immense joy. There’s something magical about creating the conditions for creativity to flourish and watching a vision come to life through collaboration and careful planning. I love being in motion—that’s what makes me happy. There’s so much of the world to see, so many people to meet, and so many stories to tell through film. It’s what keeps me going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://akopey20.myportfolio.com/about-me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amirakopeyeva/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amira-kopeyeva/
Image Credits
Jaycee Corrigan, Brode Voight
