Andrei grew up in Eastern Kazakhstan.  He graduated from the Eastern Kazakhstan State University with Masters Degree in Teaching (English & German).  Upon graduation, he moved to the USA, where he pursued his love for film by becoming a full time student at Temple University, obtaining a B.A. in Film and Media Arts with honors (cum laude).  He began his career by working for Oscar-nominated director/writer Eran Preis. Noteworthy, during his Temple years he spent one month in Prague interning for the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and produced a promotional video for their website.