NJ Silva's life began in Lisbon, Portugal, where the vibrant cityscape and rich cultural heritage would later serve as the backdrop for his own creative endeavors. From the earliest stages of his childhood, Silva was enchanted by the mesmerizing spectacle of moving images that flickered across the screen, captivating his imagination and igniting a lifelong passion for the art of storytelling.
As NJ navigated the passage of time, his enthusiasm for sharing his stories with others continued to flourish, fueling his determination to forge a career in journalism. This passion, which had been simmering since his earliest years, finally reached a boiling point at the tender age of 13, when he penned his inaugural screenplay, a 20-minute short film titled "The Highschool". This creative endeavour served as a poignant reflection of his surroundings and state of mind, offering a unique window into his inner world.
With the invaluable assistance of his friends, who graciously agreed to lend their talents to the project, and a supportive teacher who kindly offered guidance with production, NJ directed his inaugural short film at the remarkable age of 13.
NJ's fascination with filmmaking was sparked, despite the fact that the project he was working on remained unfinished. This initial exposure had a profound impact on him, and he became increasingly enthralled with the art of storytelling through motion pictures.
It wasn't until he had completed his high school education that NJ came to the realization that a career in journalism was not fully satiating his growing imagination. This epiphany led him to reevaluate his academic and professional trajectory.
At the tender age of 17, NJ received acceptance into a prestigious university's esteemed journalism program. However, he decided to diverge from the conventional path and instead pursue a course in film at Universidade Lusofona, a decision that would ultimately shape the course of his future.
NJ's biography
As NJ's passion for filmmaking continued to unfold, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering hidden strengths as a masterful storyteller, and simultaneously recognizing that the film education system in Portugal was insufficient to satiate his ambitious goals. In 2006, he took a courageous leap of faith, opting to attend a one-month intensive course at the esteemed London Film Academy in the United Kingdom, an institution renowned for its excellence in film education.
It was during this pivotal and transformative month that NJ's creative juices began to flow, and the concept for his debut feature film, "Drops of a Soul," started to take shape, marking a significant turning point in his career as a filmmaker.
After relocating back to Portugal, NJ dedicated himself to the singular objective of crafting a high-caliber, professional short film, a pursuit that consumed his every waking moment. It wasn't until the month of December in the year 2007 that he finally achieved his long-sought goal, and the ambitious project, titled "Drops of a Soul", was brought to life.
The film, a testament to NJ's perseverance and artistic vision, premiered in the picturesque city of Lisbon on Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2008, marking a pivotal moment in his journey as a filmmaker and serving as a significant milestone in his professional career.
NJ, having experienced the thrill of success with their previous project "Drops of a Soul", took a deliberate step back to further hone their craft by enrolling in a one-year course at the prestigious London Film Academy.
Within this period, NJ dedicated themselves to creating not one, but two additional short films, each showcasing their unique storytelling abilities and versatility as a director. The first, "Puny Earthlings", was a comedy that brought together the talents of Charlotte Coy and Marco Costa, two actors with impressive range and chemistry.
The second short film, "Yael", was a poignant and thought-provoking drama that transported viewers to the midst of World War II. Featuring the outstanding performances of Nadia Malamud and Steffan Boje, "Yael" was a powerful exploration of the human experience during times of conflict and uncertainty.
