Shay Esterian
Creative Director, Executive Producer, Editor, and Creative Supervisor
With solid experience in audiovisual production, strategic storytelling, and creative team management. Specialized in the development and leadership of independent films, cultural campaigns, performance-driven advertising, and narrative branding. Versatile across all stages of production — from concept to release — with work recognized in festivals, labs, and international co-productions. Aims to integrate creativity and cultural impact with production efficiency. Interested in expanding her expertise to include games, AI applied to visual storytelling, and remote, collaborative projects with global teams.
Areas of Expertise
‒ Film and Commercial Directing
‒ Content Creation and Narrative Strategy
‒ Executive Production and Project Management
‒ Branded Content and Digital Campaigns
‒ Editing, Post-Production, and Creative Supervision
‒ Transmedia Storytelling and Script Development
‒ Creative Team Leadership
‒ Creative AI Applications and Innovation in Visual Media
Education
‒ Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Audiovisual – Universidade Federal Fluminense (2013–2019)
‒ Assistant Director Training – Academia Internacional de Cinema (2018)
‒ Creative Entrepreneurship – Empreendedor Mestre (ongoing)
Availability
Open to opportunities in:
Creative Direction | Producing and Executive Production | Visual Storytelling |
Strategic Content | Transmedia | Game Development | Creative AI
Professional Experience
Creative Director and Executive Producer
ÁSTREA FILMES | Jan. 2024 – Present
‒ Creative and strategic leadership of the production company.
‒ Development and production of short films, feature films, and campaigns focused on diversity and cultural impact.
‒ Management of creative teams, budgets, schedules, and international partnerships.
‒ Visual identity design for the brand and its campaigns.
Creative Director and Executive Producer (Freelancer)
Netflix, Endemol Shine, independent production companies | Jan. 2021 – Present
‒ Direction and production of institutional, narrative, and advertising content.
‒ Supervision of performance campaigns and digital content.
‒ Concept development, scriptwriting, team direction, and post-production.
‒ Deliverables aligned with brand strategy and marketing goals.
Editor and Creative Supervisor (Freelancer)
Short films, campaigns, channels, and festivals | Jan. 2016 – Present
‒ Editing and finalization of short films, institutional videos, digital campaigns, and online media.
‒ Post-production supervision at the Festival de Cultura Popular e Interculturalidades (2017).
‒ Motion graphics intern at Canal Futura, focused on program visual identity and animation.
‒ Visual storytelling, rhythm, and narrative supervision for short-format and serialized projects.
Executive Producer and Set Director
Brick Mov | Jan. 2022 – Nov. 2024
‒ Production planning and scene direction for fiction series and documentaries.
‒ Casting supervision, scheduling, and executive production across all stages.
Video Director and Producer
Descomplica (EdTech) | Sept. 2017 – Dec. 2021
‒ Direction of educational videos and branded content.
‒ Alignment between audiovisual content and performance marketing strategies.
Featured Projects (Directing & Producing)
‒ Could It Be Magic (2025) Barry Manilow – Music Video | Director & Producer | STILETTO Entertainment (USA)
‒ Chá (2024) – Short Film | Director, Writer & Producer | Festival Curta Cinema 2025
‒ Amor Marginal (2021–) – Feature Film | Director, Writer & Producer | Selections: FRAPA, MAX, Visões Periféricas, RioMarket
‒ Afrodite Soro+ (2024) – Documentary Feature | Director, Writer & Producer | Selection: RioMarket
‒ Tríplice (2024) – Feature Film | Director, Writer & Producer | Finalist: ProCarioca 2024
‒ Conversa com o Vazio (2022) – Experimental Short | Director, Writer & Editor | First-Time Filmmaker Sessions, Mostra do Filme Livre
‒ Arquivo (2019) – Independent Documentary Short | Director, Writer & Editor
Tools & Technologies
‒ Editing & Post-Production: Adobe Premiere, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro
‒ Project Management: Trello, Notion, Airtable, ClickUp, Movie Magic
‒ Design & Content: Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Canva, Figma (basic), Google Analytics, Meta Ads
‒ Creative AI: ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Adobe Firefly, DaVinci AI Tools
‒ Collaboration: Frame.io, Miro, Slack, Pumble, Google Workspace
Recognitions
‒ Official Selection – Festival Curta Cinema (2025)
‒ Finalist – ProCarioca Grant (2024)
‒ Selected – Visões Periféricas Lab (2023)
‒ Selections – FRAPA, RioMarket, MAX (2021–2023)
‒ Selections – Mostra do Filme Livre, First-Time Filmmaker Sessions (2022)
Languages
‒ Portuguese – Native
‒ English – Fluent, professional proficiency
‒ Mandarin – HSK1, currently studying for HSK2
‒ Spanish – Good reading and listening comprehension
