Phillip Gladkov is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, animator, and amateur mycologist who has devoted over a decade to film and video and a lifetime to art and design.

At 23, Gladkov released a documentary titled “5,” which renowned filmmaker Godfrey Reggio praised as "a cinematic beacon of simplicity and beauty." Gladkov discussed his film at TEDxNYU. He also co-wrote and co-directed the comedy series "Cracking Up in 5".

Beyond his work in moving pictures, Gladkov creates fine art using the unusual medium of birch bark, cultivating a unique style that has earned him spots in various galleries and museums. Recently, he combined his passion for film and birch to create an award-winning stop-motion animation made entirely of birch bark. “Story of the Sun” (2024) is available to watch online and is also for sale as a picture book.