Biography
Kreshnik Jonuzi is an Albanian American filmmaker based in New York City, originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey. He studied film at Lynn University in Florida, where he developed a strong passion for documentary filmmaking, later earning a master's degree in film.
Recognized for his impact on the documentary world, Kreshnik was recently named one of DOC NYC's "40 Under 40," a prestigious list that celebrates the most influential young creatives shaping the future of the industry. He began his career at NFL Films, contributing to several award-winning sports documentaries aired on HBO and ESPN. In 2017, Kreshnik made his directorial debut with Triumph, a film exploring the political tensions and historical significance surrounding Albania's national football team qualifying for their first major international tournament. Triumph premiered at the Warsaw Film Festival and went on to earn recognition at several prominent festivals, including DocsMX, AmDocs, and Fajr Film Festival. It won the Audience Award at Dokufest and was released on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime in May 2020.
Kreshnik's second feature documentary, Belonging, examines the emotional and psychological aftermath of deportation through the lens of a family's personal journey. Supported by the Icelandic Film Center, Belonging was featured at major festivals like Thessaloniki, Dokufest, Nordisk Panorama, and the Reykjavik Film Festival.
Currently, Kreshnik is in post-production on his third feature documentary, Enough, a co-production with Cineflix Media, which follows civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who leads one of the largest civil rights firms in the U.S. Additionally, Kreshnik is co-producing Big In Gazi Baba, a documentary directed by Pauline Blanchet that chronicles the life of 14-year-old female wrestling champion Sadije in North Macedonia. The film explores Sadije's journey as the only girl in her wrestling club and the 'son' of her Albanian Muslim family, highlighting her personal challenges and triumphs in a male-dominated world.
