Meet Margarita Zhitnikova | Actor & Co-Founder of Besties Make Movies

We had the good fortune of connecting with Margarita Zhitnikova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margarita, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
For so long the advice has been to be just one thing: actor, writer, producer or director. We have to fight the urge to conform because there is no one path in the entertainment industry. Being a multi-hyphenate is how we take our power back as artists.

Figure out what you’re good at, what you want to do and to find people to collaborate with to make your (and their) dreams come true. That often means wearing multiple hats.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love turning shame into gems that help other people. Once I embraced and shared the messy parts of myself, I became more outgoing. Our struggles often make us feel isolated and and small. I intentionally changed that narrative. I am really proud of the films I’ve made spotlighting alcoholism and asexuality. It’ can be terrifying but it also leads you to an audience that really appreciates your work and collaborators that align with your mission.

I’m also Co-Founder of the female & non-binary-run Production Company Besties Make Movies (BMM) where we tell inclusive, subversive stories. Our feature film Triple Threat, coming out this year, tells the story of a career-focused group of friends and what happens when one of them wants to have a baby. I get to play a really fun character in this important story under the direction of my best friend and fellow BMM Co-Founder Stacey Maltin.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
From visiting Houston, I’d say live music and line dancing are a must! If you’re in NYC I’d recommend taking the ferry from Manhattan to Williamsburg to catch a movie at Nitehawk Cinema and if you’re in LA, don’t miss paddle boarding in Marina del Rey!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely wouldn’t be pursuing my dreams if not for my family. We moved from Russia to Coney Island, Brooklyn as Jewish refugees with basically nothing to our name and didn’t speak any English. My parents wanted a better life for us and they didn’t let fear or adversity stop them. I’ve learned so much from them about making my own way. There are lots of ups and downs and I feel really fortunate to have them as my role models.

Website: zhitnikova.com

Instagram: instagram.com/marzapproved

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaritazhitnikova/

Twitter: twitter.com/marzapproved

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mzhitnikova

Other: tiktok.com/@marzapproved bestiesmakemovies.com

Image Credits
Images from JONES (Joel Crane), Appetite (still), Triple Threat (Bruna Lacerda) and a photo shoot with Aileen Kyoko.