GUEST BIO

Born in Ukraine and raised in Nigeria, Polina Buchak is an award-winning New York–based filmmaker focused on inclusive storytelling at the intersection of social impact and emerging technologies. Her work blends innovative forms with traditional cinematic language to tell intimate, globally resonant stories shaped by themes of displacement, identity, and resilience.

She is Head of the Cinema Program at the nonprofit Razom. Her animated short Sunflower Field, exploring the impact of war on children’s mental health, won Best Animated Film at the Oscar-qualifying Woodstock Film Festival and received additional professional and audience awards. She was also an Associate Producer on the documentary Aggie (Sundance 2020) and has produced other films screened at leading U.S. festivals.

Polina has produced commercial and branded projects for global brands, media companies, and musicians. She holds a BFA in Film and Television from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.