IWD2019: Nikola Vasakova on Founding Girls in Film & Basking in the Light of Incredible Women
WORKING NOT WORKING
We’re supporting Balance for Better as part of International Women’s Day and celebrating spectacular female creatives on Working Not Working who need to be on your radar in 2019. We’re delighted to highlight 9 members who lead the creative conversation through both their careers and personal projects. This interview series covers the pursuit of professional creativity and the breakthroughs, accomplishments, ambitions, dreams, and lessons that follow.
WNW Member Nikola Vasakova is a producer, film curator, and programmer based in London, and has worked with Boiler Room, Dojo, Economist, Telegraph, VICE, and others. She’s also the founder of GiF (Girls in Film), a platform and network for a new generation of women in film. Below, Nikola talks about her start in production, Girls in Film, her upcoming talk at SXSW, and why she loves her work: “I am honoured to be basking in the light of so many incredible women.”
What was the catalyst for pursuing a creative career? What kept you going to get to where you are now?
I studied magazine publishing but while at university, I realised the timing was very unfortunate - the industry was going through a huge digital shift and lot of titles were shutting down. I jumped ship to film production more or less out of necessity while thinking on my feet. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The beginnings weren't so creative: I was doing a lot of admin jobs and assisting production managers and producers. But as I gained more experience and insight into film craft, my work has become more creatively involved.
What's your proudest breakthrough, project, or accomplishment and why?
Wow, I think there are probably some to come still! But I am going to be speaking at SXSW in few days, which is a nerve-wrecking accomplishment that I give myself a credit for. But every time someone tells me they benefit from GiF or that they find it helpful and inspiring, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment :)
What's the one piece of advice you'd share with fellow creative women?
Never assume. And trust your instinct.
“I am honoured to be basking in the light of so many incredible women.”
Pay it forward. Name a badass creative and tell us why they inspire you right now.
I am honoured to be basking in the light of so many incredible women. Most recently I've been lucky to be part of Amanda Maxwell's project in which she's connecting freelance working women with her group Freelance Queens. A simple and effective idea that provides a lot of benefits to women in London’s creative industry.
What do you want to see more of in 2019?
I'm working on achieving more equal playing field in film industry. I'd love to see more authentic stories and more women and BAME in positions of power at a top-end institutions as well as across many layers of the industry.
Kasaragod Boys by Vivek Vadoliya, commissioned by Barbican, exececutive produced by Nikola Vasakova / GiF