Nevena Nikolova
Nevena Nikolova is a New Bulgarian University recently graduated student in Directing. She has previous Masters`s degrees in Psychology and an Executive MBA. Nevena`s artistic career started as a stage performer with numerous roles in various fringe theatre shows – among which Marian in Constellations by Nick Pain, Gail in Days of significance by Roy Orbison, Sandra in Love, love, love by Make Bartlett, Naim in Moment by Deirdre Kinahan, Irina Arkadina in Seagull by Anton Chakov, Bi in Bifem by L. Petrushevskaia etc. Nevena is a director of a the theatre show Victoria Station and The Collection both by Harold Pinter. MORNING is her debut movie and ROOFTOP is her second film for both of which she is the producer, the director and the screenwriter.
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
ROOFTOP is a short movie about two strangers coming across each other at the rooftop of a 20story hotel building by the sea both with the intention to commit suicide. It is a dark comedy – slightly absurd but deeply human, build around the belief that in our existence both the death and the salvation a just one step away.
What are your ambitions with your project?
As a first step we aspired to get strong recognition from various festivals around the world - so far the film was awarded by more than 20 small to mid-sized festivals. We hope to get a selection from a really reputable one as well. Upon the completion of the movie festival journey we will try to find the proper online distribution channel so that the movie can be seen by as many people as possible, worldwide.
Tell us somethng about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
We desperately needed cloudy or at least partly cloudy weather for our shooting on the roof. In the last shooting day me as a director and the DOP were sitting at the rooftop location and trying to „attract“ some clouds with the power of our minds… we felt like crazy… but we magically succeeded. But the real miracle was that after a few days of unsuccessful hunt for ladybirds that we needed, one small yellow ladybird found us and landed on the hand of my co-director…. Just couple of hours before we had to shoot the respective scene. It felt like a blessing for the entire production.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
The movie treats universal topics like love, betrayal, dreams and disappointments, willing to dye and desire to live, so we believe that it could fit a broad target group of spectators.
What characterizes your film? Why should distributors buy it?
The ROOFTOP movie gives an unusual perspective to suicidal mind and behavior. It brings a broad range of diverse emotions and, despite of the deadly serious topic, it is quite funny and entertaining.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I just had the chance to try it, I grasped it and I absolutely loved the experience. And the appetite comes with eating. After shooting my debut movie MORNING I simply didn`t wanted to stop, so I immediately started writing the script for ROOFTOP…
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
I like movies that dig deep into the exploration of human nature, movies that try to understand the complex human beings rather than judge and expose them.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
I dream a lot and I`m blessed with powerful and vivid dreams, so when I wake up I just write them down briefly and use some of the images/ideas in my screenwriting.
Which topics interest you the most?
It`s all about love that comes in all shapes and forms – the more unusual and unexpected in its manifestations, the better…
What do you consider most important about filming?
To have a really powerful story that you desperately want/need to tell.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
The best shooting techniques may differ depending on the story, the concept and the overall spectator experience you try to achieve.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
Predictable plot is annoying but what I really hate is propaganda and brainwashing through film-making.
Who supports you in your film career?
As an aspiring filmmaker in the beginning of my career I strongly rely on my triple F`s – family, friends and fools (smile).
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
They describe it as Dark, comical, heartfelt, and twisted, full of life, charisma, and humor, exciting, relatable, but not cheesy or overdramatic, minimalistic but powerful and alluring. The film critics point out that the main strengths of the movie are the fully developed characters and strong performances by the acting duo, the great dialogue and the plot twist.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
I have attended Cannes 7th Art Film festival as my first movie MORNING was nominated for Best International Short Film award. The film was a finalist in Lisbon Film Rendevouz festival as well that is among the top 10 short movies festivals in Europe according to some rankings. ROOFTOP is still in the beginning of his festival journey – we hope to get selected by some of the A-league festivals this year.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
I`m currently working on the screenplay for my next short movie. At some point of time I hope to have the chance to create an indie feature film…
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
ROOFTOP is a short movie about two strangers coming across each other at the rooftop of a 20story hotel building by the sea both with the intention to commit suicide. It is a dark comedy – slightly absurd but deeply human, build around the belief that in our existence both the death and the salvation a just one step away.
What are your ambitions with your project?
As a first step we aspired to get strong recognition from various festivals around the world - so far the film was awarded by more than 20 small to mid-sized festivals. We hope to get a selection from a really reputable one as well. Upon the completion of the movie festival journey we will try to find the proper online distribution channel so that the movie can be seen by as many people as possible, worldwide.
Tell us somethng about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
We desperately needed cloudy or at least partly cloudy weather for our shooting on the roof. In the last shooting day me as a director and the DOP were sitting at the rooftop location and trying to „attract“ some clouds with the power of our minds… we felt like crazy… but we magically succeeded. But the real miracle was that after a few days of unsuccessful hunt for ladybirds that we needed, one small yellow ladybird found us and landed on the hand of my co-director…. Just couple of hours before we had to shoot the respective scene. It felt like a blessing for the entire production.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
The movie treats universal topics like love, betrayal, dreams and disappointments, willing to dye and desire to live, so we believe that it could fit a broad target group of spectators.
What characterizes your film? Why should distributors buy it?
The ROOFTOP movie gives an unusual perspective to suicidal mind and behavior. It brings a broad range of diverse emotions and, despite of the deadly serious topic, it is quite funny and entertaining.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I just had the chance to try it, I grasped it and I absolutely loved the experience. And the appetite comes with eating. After shooting my debut movie MORNING I simply didn`t wanted to stop, so I immediately started writing the script for ROOFTOP…
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
I like movies that dig deep into the exploration of human nature, movies that try to understand the complex human beings rather than judge and expose them.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
I dream a lot and I`m blessed with powerful and vivid dreams, so when I wake up I just write them down briefly and use some of the images/ideas in my screenwriting.
Which topics interest you the most?
It`s all about love that comes in all shapes and forms – the more unusual and unexpected in its manifestations, the better…
What do you consider most important about filming?
To have a really powerful story that you desperately want/need to tell.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
The best shooting techniques may differ depending on the story, the concept and the overall spectator experience you try to achieve.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
Predictable plot is annoying but what I really hate is propaganda and brainwashing through film-making.
Who supports you in your film career?
As an aspiring filmmaker in the beginning of my career I strongly rely on my triple F`s – family, friends and fools (smile).
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
They describe it as Dark, comical, heartfelt, and twisted, full of life, charisma, and humor, exciting, relatable, but not cheesy or overdramatic, minimalistic but powerful and alluring. The film critics point out that the main strengths of the movie are the fully developed characters and strong performances by the acting duo, the great dialogue and the plot twist.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
I have attended Cannes 7th Art Film festival as my first movie MORNING was nominated for Best International Short Film award. The film was a finalist in Lisbon Film Rendevouz festival as well that is among the top 10 short movies festivals in Europe according to some rankings. ROOFTOP is still in the beginning of his festival journey – we hope to get selected by some of the A-league festivals this year.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
I`m currently working on the screenplay for my next short movie. At some point of time I hope to have the chance to create an indie feature film…