Nastasya Popov captures Russian-American stories on film

Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York—a community known for its large Russian-speaking immigrant population—provides the backdrop for filmmaker Nastasya Popov’s newest project. The daughter of Russian immigrants herself, Nastasya sees Brighton Beach as a place where culture, identity, and family struggles intersect, offering powerful material for storytelling.

A graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in radio, TV, film, and screenwriting, Nastasya is no stranger to the craft. She has already written and directed four films—two documentaries and two narrative shorts—and previously received a competitive Northwestern grant for her documentary Healing Chicago.

With support from the Hunter Watson Memorial Grant, she will begin production on a short film about a Russian brother and sister navigating cross-generational pressures under difficult circumstances. Drawing in part on her own experiences, Nastasya hopes the film will highlight the resilience and complexity of immigrant families. Her passion and sensitivity as a filmmaker reflect the mission of the Hunter Watson Memorial Fund.