We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ilja Willems a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ilja, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
Risk-taking has in a way always felt like a natural extension of who I am. As long as I can remember I’ve been drawn to the edge of things—the edge of comfort, the edge of certainty, the edge of what I thought I could do. As a young girl, there was this tug of fear and the equally powerful pull of curiosity. It was never about recklessness but rather an urge to whisper to myself, “I can do this.”
I sometimes wonder if being a woman played a role in that internal dialogue. A quiet part of me always felt I needed to prove I could do anything the boys could. Not to anyone else necessarily, but to myself. The world didn’t always expect me to take the leap or raise my hand first, but I liked surprising it. I liked surprising myself. Whether it was abseiling from a high mountain or diving into projects that felt impossibly big, I found myself leaning into the things that scared me just enough to make them worth trying.
But risk-taking doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Looking back, I understand how much of my willingness to take risks was shaped by the foundation I stood on. I grew up in a world where I didn’t have to worry about violence inside my home or elsewhere, where there was always food on the table and a roof over my head. That kind of stability is a privilege—and it gave me a launching pad. When you’re not consumed by survival, you can afford to think about what lies beyond the familiar. The confidence that grew from that kind of security can’t be overstated. It gave me a belief that, no matter the outcome, I’d be okay.
But confidence is only part of the equation. I feel the rest comes from experience—learning by doing. And by doing, I mean diving in. I’ve learned that fear doesn’t shrink by sitting with it; it shrinks when you stand up to it. Whether it was skiing down a slope that made my heart race, traveling to far-flung corners of the world, or embarking on creative projects that felt impossible to execute, I’ve discovered that the only way to get comfortable with risk is to take it. And I found that you don’t need a roadmap, just the willingness to start.
While traveling for my work as documentary filmmaker or for personal trips, I learned that people are mostly kind and willing to help. After a while, you know how to read the signs of when you are welcome and safe and when it’s better to leave. I have often visited places that were said to be dangerous, but with the right attitude and precautions, they turned out to be interesting and sometimes even beautiful. I would have missed out on a whole lot of life-changing moments if I hadn’t taken the calculated risk to visit certain places.
My motto has always been “Head first in life.” To me, that means jumping in, knowing the worst that can happen is that you’ll walk away with a few scratches and a story to tell. And sometimes, the story is one of failure, but even then, it’s a story worth telling. Because every stumble, every misstep, every bruised ego has taught me something valuable.
Risk, I’ve realized, isn’t about being fearless. It’s about embracing the fear, knowing you’ll grow on the other side of it. Whether it’s pushing physical limits or navigating uncharted creative waters, risk is where the magic happens. It’s where we discover not only what we’re capable of but also who we are.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Brooklyn-based documentary filmmaker and I love turning curiosity into action. I am doing this by creating a wide range of international documentary projects and organizing female-focused gatherings to inspire each other. Passionate about reframing narratives, I create authentic projects that explore social, environmental and cultural challenges across the globe.
My love for storytelling began in my father’s bookstore, where I embarked on adventures and traveled the globe through books. Today, I am privileged to transform the stories and adventures of individuals from diverse backgrounds into captivating narratives that resonate on a universal scale.
I have been active in the media industry for over 20 years and am the founder of the production company Bureau NY and the recently launched film agency TRIBUTE.film. I absolutely love to direct and produce and do so for all Bureau NY’s and Tribute’s original documentaries and series. I have come to notice that there is this urge in me to find and tell impactful stories and create powerful content that transcends borders and sheds light on global dynamics.
What else? I have sailed around the world on a three-mast ship in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, swam around the Statue of Liberty, attended Oprah’s final show, and discovered a 90-million-year-old dinosaur tooth. And I love to play the nose flute, especially on Fridays. I have also been lucky to win several awards for my films and series, I am the founder of Gotham Girls in Film & Media, a member of the U.S. female directors’ organization Film Fatales and NYWIFT (NY Women in Film & TV), a U.S. member of the Foreign Press Association, and I was featured in Eva Jinek’s book Dream Big about inspirational women.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities stand out as the most impactful in shaping my path: perseverance, taking action, and the courage to ask for what you need. Perseverance has been my compass, reminding me not to give up when faced with rejection or failure. Early on, I learned that setbacks are not the end of the road but a sign to try again—sometimes in the same direction, sometimes with a pivot. Success is rarely linear, and resilience when facing obstacles has been essential. By trying again, adjusting my approach, being creative, and refusing to accept that something ‘is not possible’, I’ve often turned challenging moments into opportunities for growth.
Equally important has been the willingness to dive in, even without all the answers. Confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything; it means trusting your ability to figure it out as you go. Taking action, even when the path forward isn’t entirely clear, is where some of the most rewarding experiences begin. Hard work and a proactive mindset can transform uncertainty into achievement. It’s about embracing the unknown, taking risks, and making things happen through determination and effort. Look at it as an adventure; you may reach the summit, but if you don’t, at least it wasn’t boring!
Lastly, and I must admit it took a while, but I’ve come to deeply value the courage to ask. Whether it’s seeking advice, asking for help, or clearly stating what you want, vocalizing your needs can be transformative. People can’t support you if they don’t know what you’re striving for. Advocating for yourself—whether it’s for a promotion, a partnership, or simply guidance—can unlock doors you didn’t even realize were available. It’s not always easy to ask, but the rewards of honesty and openness often outweigh the discomfort.
These three qualities—perseverance, action, and asking—have been cornerstones of my growth and are lessons I carry forward every day.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
The documentary landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, presenting both challenges and opportunities for creators like me who are dedicated to telling stories that matter. Funding for impactful projects—those that delve into social, environmental, cultural, and political issues—has become increasingly difficult to secure. As a female director I love telling stories about female empowerment, climate change, social issues, and other critical challenges, where financial backing prioritizes entertainment value over societal impact. Yet, these are the very stories that have the power to inspire change and shift narratives on a global scale.
In this evolving environment, I am focusing on forging meaningful collaborations with organizations and brands that share a commitment to highlighting issues that truly matter. These partnerships are more than a means to an end; they are opportunities to align values and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. By working together, we can create compelling documentaries that not only engage audiences but also spark critical conversations and drive action.
I believe in the transformative power of storytelling, especially from a female point of view, and I’m seeking collaborators who recognize that power as a catalyst for change. Whether it’s shedding light on systemic barriers, celebrating resilience, or exploring innovative solutions, these stories deserve a platform. Together, we can build a future where impactful narratives thrive and continue to influence the way we see the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bureauNY.tv, www.iljawillems.com, www.tribute-film.com
- Instagram: Ilja_ny, bureau_ny, tribute_film
- Linkedin: Ilja Willems
Image Credits
Picture on beach: selfie Picture on boat: Anthony Smith & Jakob Axelman Picture with cactus: Remco Bikkers Picture Step & Repeat: DOC NYC Picture purple blouse: Francesca Pagani Picture Cameraman and me: Cynthia van Elk
