Q&A with Filmmakers Serena Dykman
Serena Dykman
Serena Dykman is a New York–based filmmaker and self-described “culture-clasher” who connects people through humor, heart, and humanity. A third-culture kid born in Paris and raised across Brussels, the French Antilles, London, and New York, she graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Serena’s work spans comedy, drama, and documentary, earning over 25 awards, including a Webby and a Humanitas Prize nomination. At 23, she directed her debut feature documentary Nana. She recently completed Babka, At See, and M.U.B. and continues developing projects worldwide..
This Q&A is part of the Bushwick Film Fest Filmmaker Q&A series
What inspired you to create this film, and how did the initial idea come to you?
was doing research on guide dogs and low vision & blind individuals for a fiction film I wrote and directed title BABKA. BABKA follows a hasidic baker who loses his sight and needs a guide dog in a dog averse community. Through my research, I connected with Frank Senior, a phenomenal jazz singer, blind since birth, who has had 7 guide dogs. Frank and I quickly became friends. One day, he told me that he was going on a commercial cruise with a group of blind folks and their guide dogs. I said "Frank, that sounds like a movie".
Why does this story need to be told now
In a time where conversations about accessibility often feel abstract, this story shows—in a joyful, human way—what inclusion actually looks like. It’s both a reminder and a call to action to make our world more welcoming.
What do you hope audiences will take away from watching your film?
MI hope they see blindness not as limitation but as another way of experiencing the world—and that accessibility benefits everyone. Most of all, I want them to walk away inspired by the travelers’ independence, courage, and joy.
What role does technology play in your filmmaking process, and how has it evolved over the years
Technology makes my work more accessible—from captions and audio description to the way I edit and share films. Over the years, I’ve become more intentional about using these tools not just for compliance but to expand who can experience the story.
What’s your history with the Bushwick Film Festival?
My feature documentary NANA screened at BFF in 2018!
This Q&A is part of the Bushwick Film Fest Filmmaker Q&A series