Jonathan Shabad is an Israeli award-winning director, cinematographer, writer, and producer, born into a creative family in the 1980s. His mother, a theatrical director, and his father, a painter and artist for theater and film, nurtured his deep appreciation for diverse art forms from an early age.
From his earliest years, Jonathan began crafting stories that, while somewhat naive, already showcased his keen observational skills. Yet, his main interest was photography. Studying the history of art and applying that knowledge allowed Ivan to cultivate a profound sense of composition, color perception, atmosphere, internal dynamics, and form.
At a tender age, Jonathan found himself in the spotlight, acting in several artistic films. This early exposure sparked his fascination with filmmaking, setting the course for his future. Taking his first step, Jonathan decided to leave the Baltic region of his childhood and, at just 14, enrolled in the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow. There, he pursued acting within the directing faculty, under the mentorship of the renowned Soviet and later Russian master, Andrey Goncharov.

But filmmaking remained Jonathan's primary passion. Inspired by directors like Tarkovsky and Fellini, he immersed himself in nearly every available film, devoured literature on filmmaking, and began a profound exploration of cinematography. His insatiable quest for expressive means and a profound interest in the latest developments in cinematography led Jonathan to make the pivotal decision to fully embrace filmmaking after completing his university studies. Jonathan continued his educational journey in the United States, specializing in cinematography. Yet, he felt there was more to learn and subsequently enrolled in the Russian State University of Cinematography (VGIK) to study directing.

During his final year at VGIK, Jonathan received a unique opportunity to work alongside the acclaimed film director Roland Joffe, renowned for Cannes Palm d'Or-winning films such as "The Mission" and "The Killing Fields." Jonathan seized this chance to gain invaluable experience and immerse himself in American-style film production. Fate then guided him to work for nearly eight years as a 1st Assistant Director, collaborating with filmmaking masters like Andrey Zvyagintsev on the Golden Globe-winning "Leviathan," as well as esteemed cinematographers including Daniel C. Pearl and Mikhail Krichman.
Drawing from his diverse education and rich experiences, Jonathan seamlessly integrates an academic and innovative approach to filmmaking. Determined to no longer divide his focus between two professions, Jonathan chose to incorporate both directing and cinematography into his craft. To date, he has written and directed several series, totaling 46 one-hour episodes, which have gained popularity not only in Russia but also in many countries around the world. In addition, he has shot several TV commercials for global brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Renault, and Subaru, showcasing his versatile talents and creativity.