Today we’d like to introduce you to Nabat Shir
Hi Nabat, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the first female director from independent and neutral Turkmenistan, making history as the first filmmaker from my country to premiere a film in Los Angeles. My short film The Window had its world premiere at two Hollywood festivals: the City of Angels Women’s Film Festival and the 20th Annual LA Femme International Film Festival. I was honored to win the Best Female Director Award at the City of Angels Women’s Film Festival. Additionally, I am the first filmmaker from Turkmenistan to receive the prestigious Fulbright Grant to study in the U.S. I hold an MFA in Film and Television from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and am an alumna of the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program.
Yet, just a few years ago, I was a self-taught filmmaker with no formal training or professional background in cinema—driven solely by my passion for filmmaking and a belief in my dreams.
My journey toward transforming those dreams into reality began in 2016 when I established a video and photo production studio in Turkmenistan as a self-taught director. Despite my lack of formal education, I was drawn irresistibly to the art of filmmaking. I immersed myself in learning—devouring master classes by Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard, studying films by legendary auteurs such as Federico Fellini (who became a key inspiration at that time), and reading books like Story by Robert McKee. Armed with passion and an insatiable curiosity, I made a fearless decision – I was going to be a film director.
In those early days, I took on projects for little pay—shooting love stories, music videos, and commercials. But with each project, my skills sharpened, and my confidence grew. Clients were moved by my work. The positive feedback warmed my heart and sparked a deeper desire to continue developing my craft. I poured my heart and soul into many aspects of filmmaking—directing, writing, producing, production design, and editing, all of which I handled myself. The enthusiasm from my clients reinforced my belief that I had found my true calling—to be a filmmaker and to make the world a little better with the help of my art. Looking ahead, I plan to direct feature films and commercials while actively supporting women in film by conducting training sessions and sharing my knowledge and experience. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I see a story of unwavering love for the arts, unshakable belief in myself, and relentless pursuit of my dreams.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path to success is rarely smooth—it demands relentless self-improvement. I have always aimed to set ambitious goals and achieve them, though I used to perceive falling short as failure. Now, I understand that those very moments often became steppingstones to greater accomplishments.
Failures do not diminish my belief in myself—on the contrary, they inspire me to aim even higher. For instance, in 2020, I participated in the 48 Hours Film Race as a self-taught filmmaker, taking on the roles of director, screenwriter, producer, production designer, and editor all at once. My film was nominated and included among the Top 48 Best Short Films in Central Asia, but my goal was to win the grand prize. At the time, I saw this as a failure, but later, I realized that this experience served as a springboard for reaching even greater heights.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a director, screenwriter, producer, and entrepreneur deeply passionate about creating films that transcend mere entertainment. I believe cinema should expand people’s consciousness. By empathizing with characters, the audience experiences catharsis: through the characters’ tragedies, they arrive at moments of hope and light, rediscovering faith. This emotional cleansing elevates the soul—a profound feeling that only true art can offer.
In my pursuit of creating films that deliver a powerful emotional impact, I push the boundaries of storytelling, experimenting with visual aesthetics, sound design, performances, and intricate narratives. My stories weave together philosophical depth with poignant narratives, allowing audiences to experience life through the lens of different characters and circumstances. This enables them to see the world from new perspectives, feel emotions they may have never encountered, and reflect on their own lives. Through this journey, I aspire to foster a deeper understanding of the human experience and inspire personal growth.
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is “The Window,” a moving short film that takes viewers on a journey through the life of Vivian, an elderly woman who revisits her past through the metaphor of a window in her family home. As a child, the window represented a world of magic and boundless possibility. But over the years, societal and familial pressures slowly blocked her view, keeping her from living the life she truly wanted. Now, as Vivian looks back on her choices, she begins to confront the limitations that influenced her decisions. Faced with the weight of her past, she wonders whether it’s possible to reopen the window once more and live her life differently.
The Window received the Best Female Director Award at the City of Angels Women’s Film Festival and achieved significant recognition at the Sipontum Arthouse International Film Festival, Summer 2024 Edition, winning three awards: Best Screenplay (Short Film) – Nabat Shir, Best Cinematography (Short Film) – Yuuki Shimizu, and Best Sound Design – Mark Otim.
I’m happy to share some of the insightful reviews “The Window” received from the jury at the Sipontum Arthouse International Film Festival:
Anna Troiano noted: “The window becomes a single thread that embroiders Vivian’s life… It passes through her, accompanies her, reveals her, guards her, and takes care of her! A photograph that colors and fades the protagonist’s life, beautifully portrayed through the actresses’ performances.”
Antonio Del Nobile reflected: “More than the metaphor of the window, I was struck by the image of the little girl turning back to see herself as old. If we all had this opportunity as children—and if someone taught us to consider the entirety of our existence—perhaps we would make more deliberate choices in life. In a sense, this is an esoteric film. Cinema, perhaps even more than literature, can condense into a single image a lesson that is difficult to grasp. A ‘satori’ with a Western flavor.”
Antonio Universi added: “The soft images and velvety camera movements capture the hidden beauty and shadows of Vivian’s life, using the window as a filter between the internal and external world. The contemplative shots and the play of light evoke the sense of melancholy and regret, making each scene a living painting. Shimizu’s ability to convey deep emotions through images brings out the visual poetry of the film, involving the viewer in an intense and thoughtful emotional journey.”
Another highlight of my career was directing Mimi Meets Mio, a spec ad for Mio Energy (Kraft Heinz), which earned a Bronze Pencil at The One Club for Creativity’s Young Ones Awards in 2024. My work in commercials allowed me to learn to communicate ideas efficiently and bring emotional depth even to shorter projects.
One of the defining moments in my journey as a self-taught director came in 2020 when I worked on the music video To Mother for composer Rovshen Nepesov. It’s a story about the eternal bond between a mother and her son.
One day, Nepesov invited me to choose one of his musical compositions for a video project, asking me to select the piece that resonated most deeply with me. The moment I heard the piece dedicated to his mother, the story unfolded before my eyes.
The composition To Mother struck a chord within me, touching the depths of my heart, especially as a mother myself. It overwhelmed me with a wave of love for my son. The music conveyed tender emotions and brought to mind Nepesov’s touching tradition: at the end of every concert, he would present flowers to his mother, his most devoted listener, who never missed a performance. Tragically, she passed away just a few months after the music video was filmed. Yet, her love and unwavering support continue to echo through her son’s music. I am grateful that we were able to capture her presence in the film—she appears in the final scene of the video. This work became a visual ode to a mother’s love, which nourishes and protects her child even after she is gone.
The music video, exploring the profound connection between a mother and son, resonated deeply with audiences—many admitted it moved them to tears. I witnessed mothers crying during screenings, an emotional response that was both humbling and eye-opening. It confirmed for me that my art has the power to profoundly touch people’s hearts.
That experience solidified my understanding that I had found my true calling as a director and screenwriter. It also gave me the confidence to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship, which I ultimately won, allowing me to study filmmaking in the United States—a pivotal turning point in my life.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Since childhood, I have always held an unwavering belief that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. But where does such confidence come from, you might ask? I believe the key factors were my parents and the books I read.
My family consistently supported my interests, helping me turn dreams into reality. One vivid moment from my childhood occurred when I was eight years old. My father and I attended a circus performance, where I was mesmerized by a gymnast skillfully spinning hoops. Seeing my fascination, my father asked, “Do you want to learn how to do that?” My sparkling eyes were answer enough. Soon, we were backstage, where my father arranged for the performers to train me.
That’s how I began lessons with professional circus artists. Within a month, I was performing at school events—lifting hoops off the ground with one foot, spinning them on my waist, and even twirling multiple hoops simultaneously. My grand finale involved gracefully removing a spinning hoop from my neck over my head with one hand. This experience taught me my first important lesson: if an idea excites you, act on it! Thank you, Dad, for this and many other inspiring examples.
My mother, on the other hand, nurtured my creativity from infancy, reading me poetry and literature, and enrolling me in dance, art, and English classes. By the time I was little more than a toddler, I was already speaking in rhymes (perhaps this is where my deep love for poetic cinema comes from). She also gave me the freedom to make my own decisions from a young age.
A humorous memory about poetry comes to mind from second grade. I announced to my mom that there was going to be a contest for young poets of Turkmenistan and that I absolutely had to participate. Busy with a phone call, she assured me she would help me write a poem in ten minutes. However, thanks to her years of reading poetry to me, I had already developed a good sense of rhyme. When she returned, ready to assist, I proudly presented her with two completed poems. Those very poems won me first place in the contest, making me the youngest winner. This success even led to my first radio interview.
Books, too, became a cornerstone of my belief in my dreams. One of the most influential for me was Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, which I read at the age of 14. For me, the book wasn’t about money; its central message was that nothing in life is impossible, and we can achieve any goal we desire. This idea took root in my mind and became my life’s credo.
These lessons—from my parents, books, and personal experiences—shaped my worldview. I am convinced that anyone can turn their dreams into reality if they possess a passionate desire, unwavering self-belief, and a readiness to work hard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nabatshir.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nabat_shir/
Image Credits
Photo by Nabat Shir
Courtesy of One Club for Creativity’s Young Ones Awards
Courtesy of Megan Mullen
Courtesy of Marina Ortega Mira
