Laura Lavinia is an award-winning director, producer, and writer of narrative and documentary films. She was born in Bucharest, Romania and grew up in the United States.
Lavinia studied film at the University of Southern California and earned her first directing credit on the short film "A New Day," which went on to win multiple awards at festivals around the world. She went on to direct several other shorts, including "The Night Visitor," "The Last Goodbye," and "The Way Home."
In 2016, Lavinia wrote, directed, and produced her first feature film, "The Last Day of Summer," a coming-of-age drama set in a small Romanian village. The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and was selected for screening at several festivals around the world, including Cannes, AFI Fest, and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
In 2018, Lavinia's documentary feature "The Road to Bucharest" premiered at the Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto. The film follows the journey of a Romanian-American couple who travel to Romania to uncover the secrets of their family's past and explore the country's complex history. The film was an official selection at numerous festivals, including IDFA, CPH:DOX, and AFI Docs.
Lavinia has also directed numerous commercials and music videos for artists such as Billie Eilish, Phoebe Bridgers, and The 1975. In addition to her film work, Lavinia is a passionate advocate for humane animal welfare and environmental protection.
Lavinia's work has been recognized with awards from numerous film festivals, including the Grand Prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Best Narrative Feature at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and Best International Feature at the Hot Docs Film Festival.
Lavinia continues to direct and produce films that explore themes of remembrance, identity, and the power of family. Her work is a testament to her commitment to telling stories that bridge cultural divides and create meaningful connections between people.
