— About me —
What is my Story?
Writing stories that move people—whether in a classroom, a book, or on screen—is what I live for.
Every book dreams of becoming a screenplay, and every screenplay dreams of becoming a movie. I make the dreams of both of them come true.
Olena Chepurna
My name is Olena Chepurna. I was born and raised in Kharkiv, Ukraine. I'm a writer, screenwriter, and English language educator. With a background in translation and teaching, I’ve always been passionate about literature, journalism, and storytelling in all its forms.
In 2014, I founded the Olena Chepurna Language School, where I created a unique method of teaching English through movies, TV series, subtitles, and film scripts. This approach allowed me to combine my love of language with visual storytelling.
I first enrolled in a screenwriting program with the idea of writing a sitcom that could help people learn English, along with an animated family film. Inspired by my professor and the creative freedom of screenwriting, I made the decision to fully dedicate myself to a career as a screenwriter.
Education
✔ 2003–2008: National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute” — Master’s Degree in Philology (Translation: English and German)✔ 2024: Riba Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine — Course in Screenwriting, Creative Storytelling, and Novel Writing✔ 2023: Central Film School, London, UK — “Introduction to Screenwriting” course by Nico Tatarowicz, screenwriter✔ 2021: Dramaturgy and Screenwriting School “Scenarist UA”, Kharkiv, Ukraine — Course by Anna Kurinnaya, Candidate of Art History, Associate Professor, and screenwriter✔ 2021: Courses for TV Presenters and Journalists from the Stars of Kharkiv Television, Kharkiv, Ukraine — Course by Igor Zhukov, journalist and TV presenter
Professional Experience
✔ 2022–Present: Working as a freelance screenwriter, copywriter, and English teacher, crafting compelling narratives and content for various clients.✔ 2014–2025: Founded and managed the Olena Chepurna Language School, providing high-quality English language education.✔ 2021–2023: Served as a copywriter, translator, and executive assistant for the International Art and Travel Festival in Kharkiv, supporting international communications and event logistics.✔ 2013–2014: Provided freelance technical translation services and tutored English to students and professionals.✔ 2012: Worked as a receptionist at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Kansas City, USA, gaining customer service experience in an international setting.✔ 2007–2012: Employed as a technical translator and corporate English instructor, delivering specialized training and documentation translation.
Accolades
✔ Winner: Best Script Award – London, Great Britain (2023)✔ Winner: Chicago Script Awards, USA (2023)✔ Winner: Andromeda Film Festival, Turkey (2023)✔ Winner: Tabriz Cinema Awards, Turkey (2023)
Achievements
✔ Learn English Through Films with Olena Chepurna Video Blog: A course series that uses movies, TV shows, and scripts to teach practical English through engaging storytelling.✔ Development of English Language Workbooks and Educational Materials:Creating original, film-based educational content designed to enhance vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills for learners of all levels.✔ Screenwriting Blog: A collection of insightful articles on screenwriting techniques, story structure, and the creative process, aimed at aspiring and professional writers.✔ Founder & CEO of a Language School: Successfully established and ran my own language school for over 10 years