Roxy Toporowych is an award-winning writer/ director focused on telling authentic, slice of life stories, often weaving colorful characters with world events, tackling themes of identity, culture and community. She is an NYU Tisch alum, IFP Narrative Lab Directing Fellow, winner of the IFP/Gotham Award for Emerging Directors, Fulbright Scholar and an AFI DWW+ 2024 fellow.
Her narrative feature debut, JULIA BLUE, a love story between an aspiring photojournalist and a soldier haunted by war, was produced internationally, while she was a Fulbright Scholar living in Kyiv, Ukraine. She won the Special Jury Prize for Best Director World Cinema at the Woodstock Film Festival and the Best Director Award at the Sonoma International Film Festival. Julia Blue was a part of Rooftop Films Works in Progress Screenings and Seattle Film Festival Work in Progress Labs. JULIA BLUE was named one of the top ten films about Ukraine by The Guardian UK.
Previously, Roxy directed the dance documentary feature, FOLK! (HotDocs/East SilverMarkets) and the comedy web series 2ND AND 9TH. Additionally, she created the show Awkward Dance Party for the Tribeca Film Festival. She has served as a producer on documentaries for HULU, HBO and Tribeca Enterprises, and often draws on her documentary background for her fly-on-the-wall cinematic approach.
Roxy’s work in set decoration also greatly influences her filmmaking. Beginning as an intern at Saturday Night Live, she built a career on projects such as: Captain America: Winter Soldier, Confess Fletch!, West Side Story and most recently Song Sung Blue starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Her on-set crew experience, watching directors such as Steven Spielberg and Adam McKay, as well as countless talented TV directors, has made her pivot to directing a natural one.
Please List the Title of Your Film at BIFF 2025
Ukrainian Dance Movie
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
The first film I remember falling in love with was Annie directed by John Huston. I had the dress, wig, tap shoes and a foil similar to Ms. Hannigan (in my world it was Sr. Chrysostom), but I digress. I loved that film! Every film I’ve made, from first to last, has had a female lead so perhaps my 5 year old brain really did take something to heart upon first viewing. Also, I have dreamed of making a musical – and Ukrainian Dance Movie is my first step into fulfilling that goal.
Who is (are) your favorite filmmakers?
Robert Eggers, Milos Foreman (Fireman’s ball, Loves of a Blonde), too many to name!
What are you working on that no one knows about?
Pass.
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
1. Jennifer Coolidge. We need her in everything.
2. Popcorn.
3. Old School
