Nira Burstein is an award-winning filmmaker based in New York City and one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film as well as DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40. Her documentary debut Charm Circle won the Audience Award at Sheffield DocFest, was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and premiered on the Criterion Channel. Her work has been supported by the Jerome Foundation, Jewish Story Partners, and the Independent Film Project (now The Gotham). In addition to her documentary work, she has directed several scripted short films, including Gangrenous and Dear Shop Girl, which premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival and continues to screen internationally.
Please List the Title of Your Film at BIFF 2026
DEAR SHOP GIRL
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
Making home videos as a kid—which eventually found their way into my first feature documentary, Charm Circle.
Who are your favorite Filmmakers?
Michael Haneke, Werner Herzog, and Stanley Kubrick
What are you working on that no one knows about?
I curate a film series called Nothing Happens Film Fest, which screens movies in which—not much happens.
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
Play me in a movie: Sissy Spacek.
Go-to movie snack: Soft pretzel.
Film title that best describes my life: Sideways.
