She applied to All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after S. A. Gerasimov (aka VGIK).

[2] In 2011 Angelina Nikonova and her partner Olga Dihovichnaya shot a feature film Twilight Portrait (Portret v symerkah), using a simple reflective camera due to the low budget.

[5][6] Twilight Portrait (aka Portret v Sumerkakh) received its world premiere at the 2011 Kinotavr Open Russian Film Festival, where it became a subject of understandable controversy among both critics and audiences.

[clarification needed][10] At first it was shot on Canon EOS 5D Mark II, borrowed from a friend of Nikonova.

It was shot during 29 days in Rostov-on-Don, with 5-6 people crew, consisting of friends and former classmate from New York, who was invited as a cameraman.