ARTIST STATEMENT
I am an enthusiastic film artist, working as screenwriter and producer on fiction features, TV series, documentaries and animated cartoons, whose work explores the liminal human existence, social provocative questions and complex conflicts between nations and ethnics. I do not confine myself to the choice of genre and medium, because I truly believe that the form should serve the story.
Through my own artistic method based on an analysis of biblical plots and their transformation in non-religious stories, I strive to create new outstanding artworks to evoke emotions and provoke questions about the human experience and the world we inhabit, which are truly eternal and inherently unsolvable.
I do art as I’m strongly convinced that it can change our reality.
I am an enthusiastic film artist, working as screenwriter and producer on fiction features, TV series, documentaries and animated cartoons, whose work explores the liminal human existence, social provocative questions and complex conflicts between nations and ethnics. I do not confine myself to the choice of genre and medium, because I truly believe that the form should serve the story.
Through my own artistic method based on an analysis of biblical plots and their transformation in non-religious stories, I strive to create new outstanding artworks to evoke emotions and provoke questions about the human experience and the world we inhabit, which are truly eternal and inherently unsolvable.
I do art as I’m strongly convinced that it can change our reality.
KEY THEMES OF MY CINEMA WORKS
- Intercultural dialogue and ethnic conflicts. Drifting identity and migrant issues.
- Oppressive political systems, human striving for a devil power and the deep nature of human evil. Post-Soviet inheritance and collective trauma.
- Exploring the miracle and the spirituality in non-religious stories.
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«Acclimatization»
Feature film script, comedy, drama, adventure, 100 min.
currently under development
Dir. by Kristina Shirinova
Eleven-year-old Azerbaijani Ayaz is grieving the death of his father, who was killed a few months ago in Nagorno-Karabakh. Trying to help her son cope, Ayaz's mother arranges their moving. In a new place Ayaz is getting involved in the anti-Armenian teen movement. Their actions threaten to unleash a conflict inside Dagestan that repeats the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
This is a story about how children are struggling to live in the world which is torn apart by constant wars. It explores also inter ethnic conflicts and how the terrible grows out of the small. The message is that family, love, and friendship are concepts that transcend nationality.
Feature film script, comedy, drama, adventure, 100 min.
currently under development
Dir. by Kristina Shirinova
Eleven-year-old Azerbaijani Ayaz is grieving the death of his father, who was killed a few months ago in Nagorno-Karabakh. Trying to help her son cope, Ayaz's mother arranges their moving. In a new place Ayaz is getting involved in the anti-Armenian teen movement. Their actions threaten to unleash a conflict inside Dagestan that repeats the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
This is a story about how children are struggling to live in the world which is torn apart by constant wars. It explores also inter ethnic conflicts and how the terrible grows out of the small. The message is that family, love, and friendship are concepts that transcend nationality.
Awards
- Pre-selected to the Hubert Bals Fund Development Scheme, the Netherlands
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«La Dauphine" ("Life and death of Lyudmila Zhivkova»)
Feature film script, drama, biography, mystery, 90 min.
currently under script development
Dir. by Maria Ivanova (Bulgaria)
Bulgaria, 1981. One of the most prominent women of the 20th century, LYUDMILA ZHIVKOVA (38), is found dead in a rich government estate. Her death is mysterious, and versions vary: from a murder ordered by the Soviet KGB to suicide, even Lyudmila's father, Bulgaria's top official, General Secretary Todor Zhivkov (70), falls under suspicion. In order to find the cause of her death, it is necessary to trace the life path of this amazing woman.
This film is an investigation of the cause-and-effect relationships of fate and the mysterious death of Lyudmila Zhivkova, whose life represented a woman's struggle against the repressive machine of the socialist government and also a conflict between spiritual and materialistic ways of human existence. This is a risky attempt to explain the emergence of political dictatorship and human evil by the example of individual personalities.
Feature film script, drama, biography, mystery, 90 min.
currently under script development
Dir. by Maria Ivanova (Bulgaria)
Bulgaria, 1981. One of the most prominent women of the 20th century, LYUDMILA ZHIVKOVA (38), is found dead in a rich government estate. Her death is mysterious, and versions vary: from a murder ordered by the Soviet KGB to suicide, even Lyudmila's father, Bulgaria's top official, General Secretary Todor Zhivkov (70), falls under suspicion. In order to find the cause of her death, it is necessary to trace the life path of this amazing woman.
This film is an investigation of the cause-and-effect relationships of fate and the mysterious death of Lyudmila Zhivkova, whose life represented a woman's struggle against the repressive machine of the socialist government and also a conflict between spiritual and materialistic ways of human existence. This is a risky attempt to explain the emergence of political dictatorship and human evil by the example of individual personalities.
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«Olesya’s home»
Directing by Yuliana Grimuta (Russia)
Drama, comedy, 120 min
currently under preproduction
Directing by Yuliana Grimuta (Russia)
Drama, comedy, 120 min
currently under preproduction
Pretty orphanage pupil Lesya is being adopted by new parents for the third time. She is no longer ready to trust adults and is going to turn their lives into a nightmare in order to return to the orphanage to her best friend. Only she attacked the wrong people...
This project refers to a such severe social challenge as orphaned children and theirs psychological traumas in externally comedy way.
Awards
- 43rd VGIK International Student Festival (2023)
- 8 "Free Cinema" pitching (2024)
- Formula of the Way Laboratory (2024)
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«Kokica», 2025
Directed by Andrew Krechetov (Serbia)
drama, 26 min.
currently under production
Popcorn seller Milan forbids his son to return home if he continues to participate in political protests. When the young man really disappears, the old man goes in search of him. It's not easy to find anyone in a city on strike. So, through a series of strange encounters, Milan comes to rethink his life.
This film is about the fact that having lost the most precious thing, we do not lose the meaning of life, but find it.
Directed by Andrew Krechetov (Serbia)
drama, 26 min.
currently under production
Popcorn seller Milan forbids his son to return home if he continues to participate in political protests. When the young man really disappears, the old man goes in search of him. It's not easy to find anyone in a city on strike. So, through a series of strange encounters, Milan comes to rethink his life.
This film is about the fact that having lost the most precious thing, we do not lose the meaning of life, but find it.
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«At the edge», 2025
Directed by Maria Ivanova (Bulgaria)
absurd, tragicomedy, 20 min.
currently under postproduction
A foreigner, Dragan, who moved to Russia from Serbia, is desperately trying to comprehend the mysterious Russian soul and earn the love of his new neighbors in a rented apartment, but nothing comes of it - as long as he is alive.
This project is an audacious absurdist attempt to explore the nature of xenophobia, based on Chekhov's plays and a reinterpretation of Tolstoy's philosophy and stylized as Ionesko’s dramaturgy. It also explores how difficult it is to be different in an alien environment. Sometimes only miracle can save the situation. The message of this story is that true love defeats death.
Directed by Maria Ivanova (Bulgaria)
absurd, tragicomedy, 20 min.
currently under postproduction
A foreigner, Dragan, who moved to Russia from Serbia, is desperately trying to comprehend the mysterious Russian soul and earn the love of his new neighbors in a rented apartment, but nothing comes of it - as long as he is alive.
This project is an audacious absurdist attempt to explore the nature of xenophobia, based on Chekhov's plays and a reinterpretation of Tolstoy's philosophy and stylized as Ionesko’s dramaturgy. It also explores how difficult it is to be different in an alien environment. Sometimes only miracle can save the situation. The message of this story is that true love defeats death.
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«Symphony of the Fear», 2025
Producing by Daria Kim (Russia)
Psychological horror, 18 min.
Link to the teaser
Link to the script (ENG)
Christina (35) is the first violin in the symphony orchestra. She finds out that she is pregnant and hesitates because the baby may interfere with her career plans. The situation is complicated by the fact that the father of the unborn child, Jacob (50), is the conductor of the orchestra in which she plays. Jacob is not only a senior who is interested in the birth of his child, but also a power-hungry man. Christina finds it difficult to cope with her fear of dependence on Jacob: as the fetus develops, she becomes more and more helpless.
This is a female-visioned story about the universal fear of every human being - excessive dependence on another person, told through the optics of a violinist who became pregnant by a conductor. Pregnancy is understood here as the highest point of helplessness and dependence the Another.
Producing by Daria Kim (Russia)
Psychological horror, 18 min.
Link to the teaser
Link to the script (ENG)
Christina (35) is the first violin in the symphony orchestra. She finds out that she is pregnant and hesitates because the baby may interfere with her career plans. The situation is complicated by the fact that the father of the unborn child, Jacob (50), is the conductor of the orchestra in which she plays. Jacob is not only a senior who is interested in the birth of his child, but also a power-hungry man. Christina finds it difficult to cope with her fear of dependence on Jacob: as the fetus develops, she becomes more and more helpless.
This is a female-visioned story about the universal fear of every human being - excessive dependence on another person, told through the optics of a violinist who became pregnant by a conductor. Pregnancy is understood here as the highest point of helplessness and dependence the Another.
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«Orbital velocity», 2025
Directed by Kristina Shirinova (Russia)
Mockumentary, 3 min
A young film director is adapting Chekhov's play "The Seagull". He does not suspect what grandiose consequences his free interpretation of the classics will lead to.
This microfilm was created to participate in the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater open-call.
Directed by Kristina Shirinova (Russia)
Mockumentary, 3 min
A young film director is adapting Chekhov's play "The Seagull". He does not suspect what grandiose consequences his free interpretation of the classics will lead to.
This microfilm was created to participate in the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater open-call.
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«The Lamb», 2024
Directed by Kristina Shirinova (Russia)
Drama, comedy, 24 min
Link to the teaser
Muslimchik, an eight-year-old Avar, lives in a Dagestan village. After his father left for the war, he not only takes care of his father's flock, but also has to fight instead of his father for the preservation of their family.
This story is about how war affects the life of a small person - about what happens when a child is forced to grow up early.
Directed by Kristina Shirinova (Russia)
Drama, comedy, 24 min
Link to the teaser
Muslimchik, an eight-year-old Avar, lives in a Dagestan village. After his father left for the war, he not only takes care of his father's flock, but also has to fight instead of his father for the preservation of their family.
This story is about how war affects the life of a small person - about what happens when a child is forced to grow up early.
Awards
- International Festival of student and debut films "Saint Anna" ("Best Script" and "Best Film" prizes)
- Short Film Days (Best film acc. to TikTok jury)
- Ural Shorts 2025 (Best Script, Best Cinematography)
- Kazan International Muslim Film Festival
- Student Film Festival of the CIS countries «Ascent» (Audience Choice)
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«Exodus», 2024
Directed by Rene Grempel (Germany)
drama, 19 min.
Link (teaser, ENG subs)
An exemplary Jewish woman, Leah, a mother of two children, tries her best to organize a family celebration of Passover. But after her husband leaves the family, she finds it beyond her strength. Daughter Rivka and son Zakhar, who are grieving their parents' divorce, stage a teenage rebellion, violating the prohibitions of the holiday. Leia is forced to choose: to remain a good mother or a good Jew.
Directed by Rene Grempel (Germany)
drama, 19 min.
Link (teaser, ENG subs)
An exemplary Jewish woman, Leah, a mother of two children, tries her best to organize a family celebration of Passover. But after her husband leaves the family, she finds it beyond her strength. Daughter Rivka and son Zakhar, who are grieving their parents' divorce, stage a teenage rebellion, violating the prohibitions of the holiday. Leia is forced to choose: to remain a good mother or a good Jew.
Awards
- Best script of feature short, 42 VGIK International Student Festival (2022)
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«Match», 2022
Directed by Askar Anel (Kazakhstan, Russia)
black comedy, 5 min
A damp rogue match is the only one who is unable to light up in his world full of flaming matches, cigars, incense and aromoconuses.
The match doesn't worry about it - until it falls in love with the girl of its dreams. He sets out to catch fire-even if it means becoming the new messiah of his world.
This story explores in a metaphorical way what it is like to be a different person in an alien environment. And the message is that everyone can turn their weakness into their strength.
Directed by Askar Anel (Kazakhstan, Russia)
black comedy, 5 min
A damp rogue match is the only one who is unable to light up in his world full of flaming matches, cigars, incense and aromoconuses.
The match doesn't worry about it - until it falls in love with the girl of its dreams. He sets out to catch fire-even if it means becoming the new messiah of his world.
This story explores in a metaphorical way what it is like to be a different person in an alien environment. And the message is that everyone can turn their weakness into their strength.
Awards
- Twente Short2025 Film Festival van de Korte Film, the Netherlands, competition program
- 42rd VGIK International Student Festival (2022), Russia, Best script for Animated Short
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«Communal singing», 2022
Directed by Roman Radzilevich (Ukraine)
comedy, 14 min.
Link to the film (no subs, RUS)
The quarrelsome intellectual Avgusta (45) successfully terrorizes her neighbors in a communal apartment in order to get ready her overgrown son for a vocal competition - until a real Odessa resident Tsilya Abramovna moves in with them. Nobody will escape.
Directed by Roman Radzilevich (Ukraine)
comedy, 14 min.
Link to the film (no subs, RUS)
The quarrelsome intellectual Avgusta (45) successfully terrorizes her neighbors in a communal apartment in order to get ready her overgrown son for a vocal competition - until a real Odessa resident Tsilya Abramovna moves in with them. Nobody will escape.
Awards
- Shortlisted by Ural Shorts 2023
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«Loud story», 2022
Directed by Maria Senichkina (Russia)
documentary, animation 11 min
Link, DCP, RUS
This is a popular science film exploration of nodular ligament disease, told through the personal life story of Masha, who was eager to become a singer, but her dreams did not come true because of this disease. This is a story about how it is important not only find your own voice, but also not to lose it.
Directed by Maria Senichkina (Russia)
documentary, animation 11 min
Link, DCP, RUS
This is a popular science film exploration of nodular ligament disease, told through the personal life story of Masha, who was eager to become a singer, but her dreams did not come true because of this disease. This is a story about how it is important not only find your own voice, but also not to lose it.
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«Sleeping Beauty»
Animated short, black comedy, 9 min.
Link to the script (ENG): available upon request
The outstanding thanatocosmetologist Arkady Petrovich is so fascinated by one of his works that he involuntarily gives her his kiss. Sleeping Beauty comes to life, but Arkady is not happy about it at all.
A black comedy story that refers us in the spirit of postmodernism to the fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty" by Charles Perrault.
Animated short, black comedy, 9 min.
Link to the script (ENG): available upon request
The outstanding thanatocosmetologist Arkady Petrovich is so fascinated by one of his works that he involuntarily gives her his kiss. Sleeping Beauty comes to life, but Arkady is not happy about it at all.
A black comedy story that refers us in the spirit of postmodernism to the fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty" by Charles Perrault.
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«Psychodrama»
TV Series, comedy, crime, drama, 8х40 min.
Link to the Synopsis (ENG)
Even Chekhov's gun sometimes fires live bullets: the prima of a provincial theater kills an actor right during a performance. While the theater is speculating whether she could have done it intentionally, Maya seeks a cure for her guilt in group therapy. However, the mother of the deceased is determined to put Maya behind bars at any cost—even if it means destroying the lives of innocent people.
This TV series explores guilt as a dangerous weapon of self-destruction and manipulation of others. Through its characters and their intertwined fates, the show reveals the devastating consequences of guilt—both real and imposed—and questions the boundaries of morality, justice, and human vulnerability.
TV Series, comedy, crime, drama, 8х40 min.
Link to the Synopsis (ENG)
Even Chekhov's gun sometimes fires live bullets: the prima of a provincial theater kills an actor right during a performance. While the theater is speculating whether she could have done it intentionally, Maya seeks a cure for her guilt in group therapy. However, the mother of the deceased is determined to put Maya behind bars at any cost—even if it means destroying the lives of innocent people.
This TV series explores guilt as a dangerous weapon of self-destruction and manipulation of others. Through its characters and their intertwined fates, the show reveals the devastating consequences of guilt—both real and imposed—and questions the boundaries of morality, justice, and human vulnerability.
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