Maria Emelianova is an accomplished producer with over a decade of experience in the commercial and entertainment industries. She has worked on high-profile campaigns for global brands like McDonald’s, Nike, Netflix, Ferrero Rocher, and Sprite, producing award-winning content with millions of views.

Beyond advertising, Maria has contributed to independent film productions, collaborating with American Film Institute (AFI) students and working on major streaming projects like Netflix, where she was involved in the official poster and promotional photoshoot for one of its original productions.

As the founder of Tarkovsky Space, she leads a creative network of over 1,000 industry professionals, organizing exclusive screenings, Q&As, and networking events that foster collaboration between filmmakers, producers, and artists worldwide.

How many years have you been a judge?

1-3 years

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

One of the projects I’m most proud of is Ferrero Rocher’s “Another Sky” – not just because of its massive success (27 million YouTube views and counting!), but because of the incredible journey it took to bring it to life.

We shot for five days in some of the most challenging locations, including a real, active airport – a high-security environment that required meticulous planning and coordination. Managing logistics in such a controlled setting was no small feat, but it was essential to capturing the authenticity of our story.

Despite the intensity, there was something truly magical about this production. The story we were telling – about ambition, resilience, and believing in yourself – mirrored the dedication and passion of our entire crew. Seeing it all come together in such a visually stunning and emotionally powerful way was an unforgettable experience.

To this day, whenever I see that commercial pop up, I feel a deep sense of pride – not just in the final product, but in the team that made it possible.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

I work as a producer, bringing creative projects to life across advertising, film, and events. My role is a mix of problem-solving, storytelling, and collaboration: from developing ideas to managing complex shoots and coordinating teams.

What I love most is the people – working with talented creatives, overcoming challenges together, and watching an idea grow from concept to reality. Every project is different, which keeps things exciting, and there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the final piece connect with an audience.