Biography

Natalie Budkin (aka Natalia Budkina) began her career in cinematography by studying at the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov at the Faculty of Production. In 2005, she successfully defended her diploma in "Film and Television Management." While still a student at VGIK, Natalie gained her first industry experience by interning on the set of the popular TV show "Simple Truths." Thanks to her personal qualities, she was able to take on the role of personal assistant to the general producer, which gave her the opportunity to familiarize herself with all aspects of television production. The management noticed her potential, and Natalia was entrusted with overseeing the filming of the main New Year's show on Channel One. She successfully handled this task and for three years led the creation of New Year special projects for various TV channels. Among these projects were the musical show "By the Waves of My Memory" and "A Night in the Style of Childhood," awarded the TEFI prize. Being immersed in the management of creative teams and a comprehensive understanding of the production process inspired her to start her own company, "Talan Film Company." From the moment of its founding, Natalie not only managed the business but also actively participated in creative processes. She personally selected and implemented projects, playing the role of creative producer. Under her leadership, successful series and documentaries were created and received national and international awards. Engrossed in the creative process, Natalie supervised author groups and directed the work of directors and artists. The series "ALZhIR," dedicated to women from the era of Stalin's repressions, became an important milestone in her career, receiving nominations for the Golden Eagle and Venice TV Award in 2019. The success of this project strengthened her confidence in script-writing abilities, and over the next two years, she developed series for online platforms Ivi and Kion. Despite her achievements in producing, her interest in screenwriting and directing led Natalie to the Higher Courses for Scriptwriters and Directors named after Danelia. There she defended a full-length documentary film "Alone with Others" in 2025. Today, Natalie is fully focused on creating author documentaries. She is a member of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia and the Producers Guild.
- IMDb mini biography by: Lika Sidorova