Katya Bankowsky is an Executive Producer and Director whose work includes TV commercials, branded entertainment and digital campaigns for clients including the NFL, WNBA, Reebok, NY Knicks, US Olympics, NY Times and Brazilian Brahma beer for which she directed and produced an extensive cross-platform international launch. This website features select work Katya both directed and executive produced simultaneously.
Prior to going freelance, Katya was an agency EP / Director at dentsu mcgarrybowen. This dual position was created in order to offer clients a nimble in-house option. Hired by mcgarrybowen initially as the Executive Producer on Reebok shooting Alan Iverson, 50 Cent, Jay-Z and others for the “I Am What I Am” campaign, Katya quickly began directing for the agency as well, shooting work for clients including Reebok, Chase, Verizon, Marriott and Maserati.
After filming for T Magazine, Katya began a creative collaboration with French fashion icon Michele Lamy. Battle Royale, the web series she wrote, directed and co-stars in with Lamy premiered in fashion film festivals in Paris and Milan.
In 1999, Katya’s award-winning feature documentary film Shadow Boxers premiered at the Toronto and Berlin International film festivals picking up awards along the festival circuit for direction, cinematography, editing, and music. Katya not only directed, produced, and edited Shadow Boxers which went on to receive worldwide distribution, but was amongst the first women ever to compete in the New York Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Competition.
Upon theatrical release, The NY Post described Shadow Boxers as “compelling and beautifully photographed…boxing hasn’t been shown this creatively on screen since Raging Bull” and The Los Angeles Times said simply “Shadow Boxers is the best boxing film you are likely to see”.
For press please click here.