Elena was born and raised in Tyumen. At age 20, after completing a degree in linguistics and cross-cultural communication, she moved to Moscow to pursue her career in directing and acting. After graduating from the Moscow School of New Cinema, Lena worked as a script supervisor and assistant director for Channel One Russia, TNT, NTV, as well as in independent cinema. She wrote and directed several short films that were featured at multiple Russian and international festivals, and garnered recognition and awards.