Sophia Kornienko

Sophia Kornienko is a Russian-Dutch journalist and animation artist. After many years as an English-language reporter from Russia (Transitions Online, The St.Petersburg Times, 2000 – 2004) and as a Russian-language reporter from the Benelux (Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty’s Russian Service, 2005 – 2019), as well as frequently contributing to Dutch-language press, radio and tv, she now focuses on independent productions where journalism, animation art and new tech meet. Her main interests lie in advocating for a less authoritarian world, media literacy and children’s rights. Sophia got her first degree in English at the St.Petersburg State University and her MA in Moving Image from the University of Amsterdam Media department. She later also earned motion design and animation credentials with the School of Motion. Sophia is currently working on her first animated short, based on an interview with a Ukrainian teen who has escaped Russian shelling. While still living in Europe at the beginning of the Russian war on Ukraine, Sophia also started a campaign in support of independent Russian journalists speaking up against the invasion and authored an open letter to the EU authorities that was signed by many prominent colleagues and received wide coverage in the European media.