Lena Tsodykovskaya is a multifaceted film, television, and commercial director based in Los Angeles, driven by a passion for exploring the complexities of dark stories through unique and intricate characters.
Inspired by the works of renowned filmmakers like David Fincher and Asghar Farhadi, as well as the literary masterpieces of Dostoyevsky, Lena endeavors to craft an emotional connection between her audience and the unconventional characters she brings to life on screen, while maintaining a strong focus on grounded, emotional, and genre-driven storytelling.
Lena's journey in the industry began as a photographer for MTV Russia, followed by a stint as a director's assistant on national television. She then progressed to directing episodes of a popular science-based television series, before relocating to the United States to pursue her Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing at Columbia University.
During her time at Columbia, Lena's short films garnered international recognition, with her thesis film "Mother's Day" earning a nomination for an HBO Production Grant. Her comedy "Luisa and Anna's First Fight" premiered on Short of the Week, won the "Best Director" award at The Film Zone Short Film Festival, and was subsequently featured on various digital platforms, including Director's Notes, Girls in Film, and BooooomTV.
Lena's impressive portfolio also includes directing a 10x10 series for FacebookWatch titled "Stereoscope," as well as a digital series for horror company CryptTV, founded by Eli Roth and backed by Jason Blum. Her latest thriller short film, "Storm," is slated for release in early 2023.
In addition to her narrative work, Lena has built a successful career directing commercials for prominent global agencies and clients, including McDonald's, Samsung, Ives Saint Laurent, L'Oreal, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Nissan, BBDO, Mullenlowe, TBWA, and DDB.
Currently, Lena is preparing for her feature film debut, "Bitsy," and is in development of a limited series titled "Seabird."
