Katarina Spenard, a Serbian-born actress, creative and executive film producer, and founder of 369 FilmProduction and the Nikola Tesla Film Festival, has built her career in the United States through creativity, resilience, and an unwavering belief in turning ideas into reality. After more than a decade as an immigrant in America, she has faced rejection, setbacks, and the challenges of starting over, transforming those experiences into strength and determination. Now based in Las Vegas, Spenard is preparing for the second Nikola Tesla Film Festival on January 17, 2027, while developing feature-film projects including The Hidden Project 369, a Nikola Tesla biopic, and The Silent Echoes, a psychological thriller addressing human trafficking. Her message to aspiring creatives is simple but powerful: stop waiting to feel ready, protect your vision, create your own opportunities, stay kind but discerning, and embrace your background as a source of strength.
Here is the Q&A session we had with Katarina Spenard.
Katarina Spenard As Cover Story Interview – September 2026 Magazine Edition
How do you introduce yourself?
My name is Katarina Spenard. I’m originally from Serbia and now building my life and career in the United States for over a decade. I live in Las Vegas and work in the film industry as an actress, creative producer, and executive producer. I am a founder of 369 FilmProduction and Nikola Tesla Film Festival.
I usually introduce myself as someone who has too many ideas and somehow keeps turning them into actual projects. I love storytelling, film, innovation, and bringing talented people together.
Struggle — What hardships have you gone through in life?
Being an immigrant teaches you very quickly how to start over. You arrive in a new country with an accent, dreams, determination, and sometimes absolutely no idea how anything works.
I’ve experienced rejection, disappointment, people underestimating me, projects that didn’t go as planned, and moments when I had to rebuild from zero. The entertainment industry itself is another education in resilience. You hear “no” constantly, and sometimes “yes” turns back into “no” before lunch.
But every difficult experience made me more independent and more determined and more unstoppable. I learned that rejection can redirect you, disappointment can educate you, and sometimes the door that refuses to open is simply not your door.
What do people usually not know about you?
People often see the glamorous side festivals, events, red carpets but I’m actually simple and modest person behind the scenes. I can be extremely happy by just looking at stars, getting flowers, seeing a dog on the street or listening the song I like.
What sets you apart from others?
I think it’s the combination of creativity, persistence, and the willingness to create my own opportunities.
I don’t believe you always have to wait for someone to invite you into the room. Sometimes you build your own room, organize the event, hire the team, invite everyone else and then wonder why you haven’t slept in three days.
As an immigrant, I also carry a different perspective. Serbia my homeland gave me resilience, culture, history, and a strong identity. America gave me the opportunity to think bigger. I try to combine those two energies in everything I do.
What are your upcoming major events?
One of my biggest upcoming events is the second edition of the Nikola Tesla Film Festival, taking place in Las Vegas on January 17, 2027.
The festival celebrates Nikola Tesla’s legacy through cinema, innovation, creativity, and international storytelling while creating opportunities and recognition for independent filmmakers and students from around the world.
For me, it is much more than an awards event. I want it to become a bridge between film, technology, innovation, and Serbian-American culture while carrying Tesla’s extraordinary legacy forward for new generations.
Alongside the festival, I’m continuing my work as a creative and executive film producer and working on feature film projects, Nikola Tesla biopic “The hidden project 369” and psychological thriller “The Silent Echoes” that brings awareness to human trafficking into spotlight. These projects started with idea in my mind and I am happy to see them coming together as I did my absolute maximum to make it happen.
What expert advice would you like to give?
Stop waiting until you feel completely ready.Do not limit yourself. Have fun, that’s the frequency that can bring the most creativity to your mind.
Most meaningful things I’ve done started before I had every answer. You learn by moving forward. Protect your ideas, educate yourself about the business side of your creativity, choose your collaborators carefully, and never confuse somebody else’s inability to see your vision with proof that your vision has no value.
Especially for immigrants and young creatives: your accent, background, or unconventional path can become part of your strength rather than something you need to hide.
And one more thing maybe the most important, pray to God, be kind, but don’t be naive.
Your social media handles and website links?
You can follow me and my work through official social media platforms and my production and Nikola Tesla Film Festival online.
- Instagram: @katarinaspenard
- Production Instagram: @369filmproduction
- Nikola Tesla Film Festival: @nikolateslafilmfestival
Phikon Mathews is an entertainment journalist at TheCelebrity.Online Magazine, covering the latest developments across film, television, music, streaming, and celebrity culture. Passionate about storytelling and pop culture, Phikon delivers timely news, exclusive features, and engaging commentary that keeps readers informed and entertained. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a commitment to accuracy, the work highlights the personalities, performances, and moments shaping today’s entertainment industry. Whether reporting on Hollywood premieres, global music sensations, or viral celebrity headlines, Phikon brings fresh perspectives and compelling narratives that connect audiences with the ever-evolving world of entertainment.
