In a patriarchal society where opportunities for women’s professional growth were limited, Sevdije initially decided to become a gynecologist and enrolled in a medical high school. However, when war broke out in Kosovo in 1999, Sevdije experienced the loss of her mother, Ajshe, and her sister, Luljeta. At just 15 years old, this loss dramatically changed the course of her life.

Following the tragedy, she was introduced to filmmaking and discovered that the camera was a crucial tool for telling stories. Since then, Sevdije has worked on numerous projects in which human rights are integral, giving a voice to those who have historically been in the margins, an angle that has become the driving force behind her work.

In 2009, she moved to Los Angeles to study cinematography at the American Film Institute, graduating in 2011. Her short film “The Return” won the Best International Short award at Sundance in 2012. Sevdije’s work has garnered global attention, with films like “The Marriage,” which became Kosovo’s Oscar submission in 2018; “Cold November,” which premiered at San Sebastián; and “Zana,” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and was Kosovo’s entry for the Oscars in 2020. Her film “Vera Dreams of the Sea” captivated audiences at the Venice International Film Festival and won Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival in 2021, as well as the Ingmar Bergman Award in 2022, among other accolades. “Perpetrator” premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2023 and had its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her latest movie,“Carved,” is released on Hulu and Disney+.

Sevdije’s work began in documentaries, a realm she continues to explore in between feature films. Her latest docuseries,”Killing County,” on Hulu, explores police brutality in Bakersfield, California.

Sevdije Kastrati is a member of the European Film Academy and IATSE Local 600.