NYWIFT Blog

By Mariana Valencia

Welcome to NYWIFT, Laura Pribanić!

Laura Pribanić is a Croatian film and television producer currently based in New York City. She holds a Master’s degree in Film and TV Production from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb.

Throughout her career, Laura has worked on feature films, television productions, commercials, and international projects, specializing in production coordination, logistics, and on-set management.

Passionate about storytelling, human connections, and cross-cultural collaboration, Laura is particularly drawn to stories that explore universal emotions while remaining rooted in authentic local experiences. Through her work, she aims to bridge cultures and bring compelling stories from Croatia and the Balkans to a wider international audience.

As she continues building her career in New York, Laura is focused on collaborating with inspiring filmmakers, contributing to ambitious productions, and growing within the global film industry.  

New NYWIFT Member Laura Pribanić.

Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?

I’ve always found it challenging to introduce myself in just a few sentences because I don’t think people can be summed up by a job title or a short bio. Like most people, I’m full of contradictions—and I’ve learned to embrace them.

I’m someone who genuinely enjoys silence, slow living, and spending time alone, yet I thrive in the fast pace of production, busy schedules, and meeting new people. I believe life happens in the present moment, even though I sometimes catch myself overthinking. I believe everyone should have the freedom to live life on their own terms, while at the same time I naturally care deeply about the people around me and often find myself wanting to help. 

I’m also someone who rarely stays in one place for long. Traveling, discovering new cultures, and meeting people from different backgrounds have shaped who I am and continue to inspire me. Yet no matter where I go, Croatia will always be the place where I feel most at home.

I think the best way to describe myself is as someone who’s constantly trying to replace “either-or” with “both-and.” I don’t believe we always have to choose between ambition and balance, work and life, or dreaming and doing. I believe it’s possible to embrace both.

Professionally, I’m a film and television producer from Croatia, currently based in New York. I recently completed my Master’s degree in Film and TV Production at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Throughout my career, I’ve worked on feature films, television productions, commercials, and international projects, primarily in production coordination and management.

At one point, I realized that both my professional and personal life were asking me to take a leap. That leap brought me to New York, where I’m excited to continue building my career, collaborating with inspiring people, and telling stories that connect across cultures.

NYWIFT Member Laura Pribanić on set.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I believe every new beginning comes with a certain amount of uncertainty, especially when you’re starting over in a new country and building a professional network from scratch.

When I discovered NYWIFT, it immediately felt like the perfect first step. I saw it as a welcoming community where I could meet people who share the same passion for film and television, learn from experienced professionals, and begin building meaningful connections within the New York industry

What especially drew me to NYWIFT was the fact that it’s a community of women supporting women. There’s something incredibly encouraging about being surrounded by talented, ambitious women who genuinely want to help one another grow. As someone who had just arrived in New York, that sense of support and belonging meant a great deal to me and it made joining NYWIFT feel like a very natural decision.

Laura Pribanić after graduation.

What aspects of your life and background have motivated the stories you want to tell?

I’ve always believed that our most difficult and painful life experiences often become one of the greatest sources of creativity. Whether those experiences happen to us personally or to the people we love, they have the power to reveal something deeply human. Those are the kinds of stories I’m naturally drawn to – stories that explore change, loss, identity, belonging and the relationships that shape us.

That idea became the foundation of my Master’s graduation project, Projekt Rast(anak) (“Farewell”), which explores the universal experience of separation through several interconnected stories. At its core, the project explores emotions that transcend borders – saying goodbye, letting go and finding the strength to move forward. 

Growing up in Croatia and the Balkans has also profoundly shaped the stories I want to tell. Our region has a unique mentality, a rich cultural heritage and a complex history that has left its mark on generations of people. Family dynamics, social expectations, unspoken emotions, and inherited patterns are all deeply woven into everyday life. While they can often be challenging to navigate, they also create incredibly layered and compelling characters.

I think the Balkans remain somewhat mysterious to many people outside the region. Too often they’re viewed through the lens of history or stereotypes, when in reality they’re full of warmth, resilience, humor, contradictions, and deeply human stories. I believe our local stories carry universal themes that can resonate with audiences anywhere in the world.

My hope is to introduce international audiences to a side of the Balkans they rarely get to see – not through stereotypes, but through intimate, character-driven stories that reveal both the beauty and the complexity of the region.

Laura Pribanić and team.

What characteristics of your experiences as an international filmmaker shape your production process?

Working on productions in different environments has taught me the importance of adaptability, communication, and teamwork. Every production has its own challenges, and I’ve learned how to stay organized while remaining flexible when unexpected situations arise. Being an international filmmaker has also made me appreciate different working styles and perspectives, which I believe leads to stronger collaboration and ultimately better productions.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of working both in film and television for 8+ years?

For me, the most rewarding part is seeing an idea evolve from a script into something tangible that audiences can experience. I enjoy being part of the entire process, especially the collaborative nature of production, where every department contributes to the final result. I also find great satisfaction in solving logistical challenges behind the scenes and creating an environment where creativity can thrive.

What I find equally fascinating is working with people. A film set brings together individuals with different personalities, experiences, creative approaches, and ways of working. As someone in production, you’re constantly balancing priorities, solving problems, managing expectations, and making sure everyone can do their best work. In many ways, production is about understanding people just as much as it is about understanding schedules and budgets.

It’s one of the most challenging aspects of the job, but also one of the most rewarding. Every project teaches me something new – not only about filmmaking, but about communication, leadership, and human nature.

NYWIFT Member Laura Pribanić and team member.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that filmmaking is fundamentally about people. Technical skills and organization are essential, but strong communication, trust, and respect within a team are what truly make productions successful.

I’ve also learned that sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is not to immediately provide an answer or a solution, but to truly listen and understand what someone is trying to communicate. Production is full of unexpected challenges, and while every problem eventually finds a solution, the way people feel throughout the process stays with them. 

As I continue building my career, one of my biggest goals is to create working environments where people feel valued, respected, and seen – not just as another name on a call sheet. In an industry that moves quickly and often operates under pressure, I believe it’s important to never lose empathy and to remember that, above everything else, filmmaking is a human process.

What project(s) are you currently working on that our readers should be on the lookout for?

Since moving to New York, I’ve been focused on building relationships within the local film community while continuing to develop new projects with collaborators from Croatia and the Balkan region.

My long-term goal is to create international co-productions that combine regional stories with universal themes, making them accessible to audiences beyond our part of the world.

Alongside that, I’m continuing to pursue opportunities in production coordination on feature films and scripted television projects, while expanding my network within New York’s film industry.  

Connect with Laura Pribanić at laurapribanic@hardiproduction.com, on Instagram at @laurapribanic, and learn more about her project Projekt Rast(anak) (“Farewell”) at https://rastanak.com/o-projektu/.

(All images courtesy of Laura Pribanić)