Rouzie Hassanova is an award-winning writer and director whose unique Pomak-Bulgarian (Muslim) identity and remote residency in Aotearoa, New Zealand, bring a fresh vision to her work. Known for her commitment to authenticity and collaboration, Rouzie crafts powerful themes and true-to-life performances in her films.

Her debut feature film, Radiogram, won several awards, including the Audience Award at the Sofia International Film Festival, the Best Debut Award at the Golden Rose Film Festival, and the Special Mention Award at the Vukovar International Film Festival. Radiogram was screened at international festivals in Haifa, Dubai, Heartlands, Istanbul, and Transilvania, and is available on Amazon Prime and SBS Australia.

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In addition to her feature films, Rouzie has created a remarkable collection of award-winning short films. These include Song for Serbia, currently screening on Whakaata Māori (Māori TV), Tree Without a Root, Vicky, and The Portrait. Her short films have been featured in numerous international festivals, such as Show Me Shorts, Raindance, In the Palace, Galway, Big Sur, Sofia, and Wairoa Māori Film Festivals.

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Currently, Rouzie is developing her second feature film, Tulpar, which has received the Seed Advanced Development Grant from the New Zealand Writer’s Guild. The project was developed through Script to Screen’s FilmUp Mentorship and the STOWE Story Lab Remote Residency 2023.

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In addition, she is attached to direct Kristi Barnett’s award-winning feature film Elephant Kiss, a family film about four best friends who take their beloved dog Maxx on his last adventure. This project is in the final stages of development before its market release, showcasing Rouzie’s versatility and dedication to diverse storytelling.