By Briana Wilson
Welcome to NYWIFT, Nira Burstein!
Nira Burstein is an award-winning filmmaker based in New York City. She is one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film and DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40.
Her documentary debut Charm Circle won the Audience Award at Sheffield DocFest, is a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and had its streaming premiere on the Criterion Channel.
Nira is a Gotham Fellow, and her work has been supported by the Jerome Foundation and Jewish Story Partners. She has made several narrative short films, including Gangrenous (Nantucket Film Festival) and Off & Away (Brooklyn Film Festival).
Her latest short film, Dear Shop Girl, premiered at Woodstock Film Festival. She is currently in post on the documentary short Handymen.
Welcome to NYWIFT! Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers.
Hello! I’m a filmmaker from NYC and I make docs and scripted films. I hope also one day to work on a series as well.
What brought you to NYWIFT?
There’ve been enough times where I’ve met people that are members or gone to a NYWIFT-hosted event, so it felt the moment had come to join in officially.
Can you share your journey into the film industry and any pivotal moments that shaped your career?
I just am very passionate about telling stories around human connection and how fragile it really all is.
Your documentary, Charm Circle, premiered in 2021 at Sheffield DocFest and won two awards. Can you tell us about your experience as the director of this project?
It was such an honor to premiere my first doc & feature at Sheffield. I couldn’t have felt more supported. Making the film was so personal, so it was so excited to meet people that connected to it.
What has been the most fulfilling project you’ve worked on so far, and what made it special for you?
They’re all too special, it’d be like playing favorites with your kids. I can’t choose (or say).
What inspired you to found Vacancy Arts, and what are some specific goals you hope to achieve through the films you produce?
The name comes from the idea that inspiration comes when you’re open to things. It’s circular: the inspiration hopefully comes which makes art happen, inspiring those who get to see it. Having a company allows me to work on many projects, as a director and a producer.
Are there any projects you are currently working on or would like to explore in the future?
Yes, I’m in post on a documentary short entitled Handymen, a verité doc that follows the people who fix things in my NYC apartment, and a feature thriller which I’m excited about shooting next year.
Connect with Nina Burstein on Instagram at @nira.isanalog.
(All images courtesy of Nira Burstein)
Briana Wilson
Briana Wilson is an intern at NYWIFT and a writer/director. She graduated from New York University with bachelor's degrees in Applied Psychology and Hebrew & Judaic Studies. After years of working in post-production, finance, and operations, she is excited to join the NYWIFT community. Briana is passionate about film, research, and the power of curiosity to create connection and change.
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