Sabina Vajraca's extraordinary odyssey commenced in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she embarked upon a perilous journey as a war refugee in 1994, driven by an insatiable desire to escape the turbulence and uncertainty of her homeland, and instead, to forge a brighter, more hopeful future in the United States.
As a teenager, Sabina's innate fascination with the art of storytelling and theatre began to take center stage, ultimately culminating in the attainment of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Directing and Stage Management, a testament to her unwavering dedication and unrelenting passion for the performing arts.
After completing her academic journey, Vajraca made the bold decision to relocate to the vibrant city of New York, a hub of artistic expression and innovation. Once settled, she dedicated herself to refining her craft by actively contributing to the creation of devised theatre productions, constantly seeking to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and explore new avenues of artistic expression.
In particular, she found herself drawn to the works of the Bard, delving deep into the world of Shakespeare and experimenting with fresh, unconventional approaches to his timeless classics. Her bold and daring creative vision soon began to garner attention from the film industry, with producers and directors taking notice of her unique perspective and innovative style.
As a result, Vajraca's path began to diverge from the traditional theatre route, and she started to make the transition into the world of filmmaking, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a fresh, avant-garde approach to the art form.
Vajraca's inaugural directorial endeavour, the widely acclaimed feature documentary "Back to Bosnia", made its premiere at the prestigious 2005 AFI Fest, subsequently being showcased at over 30 international film festivals, garnering the esteemed Director's Choice award at the Crossroads Film Festival.
Throughout her illustrious career, Vajraca has garnered a plethora of prestigious accolades and recognition for her outstanding contributions to the world of filmmaking. Among her numerous honors, she is proud to be an Annenberg Scholar, a testament to her academic excellence and dedication to the arts. Furthermore, she has also been recognized as a Student BAFTA and Oscars nominee, a distinction that speaks to her exceptional talent and skill as a filmmaker. In addition, Vajraca is a member of several esteemed organizations, including Film Fatales, a collective of women in the film industry who support and empower one another, Women in Film, a leading organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the careers of women in the film and television industry, WIMPS, and Lincoln Center's Directors Lab, a prestigious program that fosters innovation and creativity in filmmaking.
Vajraca's academic credentials are truly remarkable, boasting a prestigious Master of Fine Arts degree earned from the esteemed University of Southern California's renowned School of Cinematic Arts, a globally recognized hub for film and television production excellence.
