About
Dr. Zeljko Mirkovic
Dr. Željko Mirković
West Hartford, CT, USA • +1 (959) 236-4156, [email protected] ; [email protected]
Early Life & Education
• Mirković studied TV directing at the Academy of Arts Belgrade (in Serbia) and graduated in 1999.
• He earned an M.A. at Bournemouth University (UK).
• He holds a PhD with a thesis titled “Documentary Film Through the History of War and Peace” from the Megatrend University (Belgrade).
Professional Career
• He is the founder and owner of the film production company Optimistic Film (established in 2007) for which he serves as director, writer, and producer.
• He has held academic roles including as Professor of Visual and Communication Arts at Eastern Mennonite University (USA).
• Since June 2023, he serves as Associate Research Professor at the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at University of Connecticut, focusing on entrepreneurial video storytelling.
Key Works & Achievements
• Mirković has directed and produced numerous documentaries and won 134 international awards.
• His documentary The Second Meeting (2013) was a candidate for the Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2014.
• Another of his documentaries, Tesla Nation (2018) was an official runner with Oscar-consideration in 2020.
• For example, his 2016 documentary The Promise about winemaking tradition in Serbia won “Best Cultural Documentary” at the Eugene Film Festival.
Research & Scholarly Work
• Mirković has written academic papers; e.g., “Creative Documentary Today: Challenges and Opportunities for Directors and Producers” published in the AM Journal of Art and Media Studies.
• His academic and professional interests center on documentary filmmaking, science documentaries, media studies, war & peace themes in documentaries, and pedagogical aspects of film & digital media.
Themes, Style & Impact
• His works frequently engage with social, historical and cultural issues (e.g., war, memory, identity, rural life).
• He often plays dual roles of director + producer, giving him creative control, but also significant responsibility.
• He has built a bridge between academic work (lecturing, research) and film production practice, which gives him a distinctive profile in the documentary film world.
Current Role & Focus
• At University of Connecticut’s Werth Institute, his work includes entrepreneurial video storytelling—suggesting a blend of business, creativity, and media.
• He continues to run Optimistic Film and produce documentaries, while also teaching and researching in media & communication.
Links
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2455958/
https://werth.institute.uconn.edu/werth-institute/our-team/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zeljko-mirkovic-369b563/
Science documentaries; trailers
My Dear Friend Science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voUZ-KAGi0c
Innovation in Connecticut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPISGn6P5ew
Welcome to UConn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl8BCFiSPmg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q0Da1uwJ9g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCsAUw3L-Oo
Filmography
Documentaries – Film Director, Producer & Scriptwriter
– “He is UCONN- Big Red” (26 min.) University of Connecticut, 2025.
– “Innovation in Connecticut” (56 min.) University of Connecticut, 2024.
– “Saban Bajramovic- My Journey” (56 min.) Optimistic film, 2024
– “Srpsko Kolo, Boston” (30 min.) Optimistic film, 2024.
– “Niki Pilic- The Legend” (54 min.) GMBH, France, 2023/2024.
– “Soldiers’ Loves Forever” (54 min.) Zastava film, Optimistic film, 2022.
– “Serb National Federation” (30 min.), Optimistic film, 2022.
– “Tesla Nation.” (83 mins.) Optimistic Film. 2018.
– “The Promise.” (74 mins.) SEETV Belgium – Optimistic Film. 2016.
– “Svetislav Pesic – More Than a Coach.” (75 mins.) Intermedianetwork. 2015.
– “The Second Meeting.” (86 mins.) Optimistic Film. 2013.
– “Lajko Felix, In Search for Myself.” (25 mins.) Optimistic Film. 2011.
– “I Will Marry the Whole Village.” (57 mins.) Optimistic Film. 2010.
– “The Long Road Through Balkan History.” (58 mins.) SEETV Belgium. 2010.
– “Old Man in His 26th.” (25 mins.) TV Vojvodina. 2010.
– “Why for Sculpture.” (25 mins.) TV Vojvodina. 2009.
– “Kosovo Diary.” (99 mins.) SEETV Belgium. 2008.
– “The 21st Second.” (56 mins.) Optimistic Film. 2008.
– “Muharem, Music The Eyes of Life.” (28 mins.) Optimistic Film. 2005.
– “My World.” (52 mins.) 2002.
– “Nastasia.” (17 mins.) 2001.
– “From Nis to Serbia: It’s Now or Never.” (12 mins.) 2000.
– “The Loves of the Soldiers.” (25 mins.). 2000.
Documentary TV Series – TV Director / Script Writer/Producer
– “Srpsko Kolo” (10 x25) – Arenna Channels Group – Optimistic Film, 2024.
– “Tesla Nation” / season 3/ (10 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film, 2023.
– “My Dear Friend Science with Vladimir Cmiljanovic- Basel University, Switzerland” – (3 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film. 2022.
– “Tesla Nation” / season 2/ (10 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film. 2021.
– “My Dear Friend Science with Gordana Vunjak Novakovic- Columbia University” – (10 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film. 2021.
– “My Dear Friend Science with Vladan Vuletic- MIT and Harvard University” – (10 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film. 2020.
– “My Dear Friend Science with Jelena Kovacevic- NYU Tandon.” – (5 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film. 2021.
– “My Dear Friend Science with Zoric Pantic- Wentworth University” – (5 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film. 2021.
– “Tesla Nation” / season 1/ (10 x 25 mins.) Radio Television of Serbia – Optimistic Film. 2018-2019.
– “YouTubers in Serbia.” (5 x45 min.) Radio Television of Vojvodina – Optimistic Film. 2015 – 2016.
– “Meet the Ambassadors in Serbia.” (22 x 45 mins.) Radio Television of Vojvodina – Optimistic Film. 2014 – 2015.
– “My Dreams.” (5 x 45 mins.) Radio Television of Vojvodina – Optimistic Film. 2013.
Video Storytelling campaigns
– “Welcome to UConn” (social media campaign, 50 x 1 min. short films presented by CT Governor, Senator, UConn President, Provost, Vice Presidents, Professors, Students, Successful UConn Entrepreneurs and Alumni) University of Connecticut, CT, USA, 2024.
– “Swiss Rockets” (social media campaign, 30 x 2 min. short films about CEO, Founders, Scientists, Investors, Researchers, Staff, Swiss and International Partners, Academics, Biotech Leaders and Professionals), Swiss Rockets- Optimistic film, Switzerland, 2024.
