Короткометражний фільм
Our Crowdfund Campaign on
Short Summary
Mythology-based films and TV series are beloved by fans. Slavic cultures in Eastern Europe and the Balkans have rich folklore, myths, and legends. One prominent myth is about an old woman with magical powers and cannibalistic tendencies. Surprisingly, mainstream cinema and TV have not explored this myth extensively. "Baba Yaga" presents an ideal chance for creative and unique storytelling.
"As the producer and scriptwriter of this project, I grew up in Bulgaria listening to stories about Baba Yaga and developed the idea in my second year of University." - Zlatiana Staykova
The story goes beyond the myth, incorporating a fictional backstory for the main character, Katyusha, to enhance creativity and maintain authenticity. The director, with Ukrainian roots, is deeply involved in the project's original concept. The film will reference Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and other Slavic/Balkan cultures. While predominantly in English, the dialogue includes select Bulgarian/Ukrainian phrases and common words to preserve the cultural essence of "Katyusha" while appealing to a wider audience.
"Something I would like to bring into “Katyusha” is authenticity and cultural value. It is important for me to ensure that the film is an accurate representation of the culture and values of the people it portrays. I would also like to bring a sense of realism to the film, so that viewers can be transported into the world of the characters and feel as if they are part of the story.
This film is special to me not only because of the familiar culture but also because of the important topics it touches on, like war. In the plot, a girl’s father is forced to leave his family, his beloved daughter, to go and fight for his country. Consequently, he doesn’t come back from this fight, and the girl is left without her number one protector.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an uncommon situation in my country. At the moment, hundreds of men are dying every day, and it is someone's brother, son, husband. Thousands of children have already become orphans. It is a terrible full-scale war in the modern world, which can only be stopped if all countries unite and help Ukraine." - Daria Kurdinovych
Our team will donate 10% of our crowdfunding proceeds to support the Ukrainian defense through UNITED24, a prominent charitable donation platform. Visit the UNITED24 website for more information.
Part I of the campaign: Katyusha- A film about Baba Yaga | Indiegogo
The expenses that our budget will cover are going to be spend on the following categories:
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transportation of cast and crew
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locations bookings
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catering
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makeup & special makeup effects
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props
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set dressing
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costumes - traditional folk wear and other costumes.
TO BE CONTINUED IN PART II.
For the film's locations, additional funding is required to create a 1900s Eastern European classroom set. The actors will wear traditional Bulgarian clothing to enhance the plot, but more costumes are needed for the entire cast, which can be expensive due to the cost of Slavic folk wear. The main character, Katerina, will require prosthetics and special makeup effects for each filming day. Set dressing plays a crucial role in creating an authentic Eastern European atmosphere, necessitating sufficient financial support. A prop well is being constructed for a specific scene. Candle lights will be used extensively for natural lighting and decoration, reflecting the film's 1900s setting. The well-being of our cast and crew is a top priority, requiring additional funding to cover travel and dietary needs.
Other ways you can help
We understand that not everyone can help financially, yet it would be greatly appreciated if you share this project with friends, family and the people you know. This would help us spread the word and reach our goal for "Katyusha", the story of Baba Yaga.
You can also follow us on our official Instagram page @katyushafilm to support us and for more updates and find us on TikTok