SKEDADDLE, 20min., Ireland
Directed by Valeria Patarushina
A young woman named Anastasia finds herself fleeing the chaos of Ukraine and finding refuge in the Irish home of Miguel, a dedicated and methodical type who lectures in the nearby business school.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

My film appears to be a personal exploration of my own heritage and history. It combines elements of two different cultures and focuses on the lives of two people during challenging times. The film likely aims to depict the complexity of their relationship and how it is influenced by the cultural context, all while being produced on a low budget. It's a story that touches on themes of identity, history, and human connection.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It takes approximately 7-8 months to finish it.

For preproduction we spent 3- 4 months ( idea, script, finding references, casting, location scouting, probs, clothing etc). It took the big part of it.

For production we spent 4 days only, it was good and a good time management there.

For postproduction we spent 3- 4 months too

( editing, fixing sound, colour correction, fix all docs and distribution).

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Complex devotion

Or maybe challenging affection

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

During the intricate tapestry of the film production journey, the quest for a skilled sound engineer stood as a formidable challenge. The arduous endeavor extended beyond mere discovery, for it entailed the delicate art of meticulously mending the threads of dialogue, seamlessly weaving them into the symphony of sound effects and music. This harmonious amalgamation, though wrought with difficulties, ultimately crafted the auditory backdrop that breathed life into our cinematic creation.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

After receiving the audience feedback, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and amazement. It's incredibly fulfilling to know that the audience not only appreciated my performance but also deeply understood the message I was trying to convey. This positive response has filled me with pride and motivation to continue honing my craft and delivering meaningful experiences to my audience.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Four years ago, I embarked on a journey to capture the essence of life itself through the lens of my camera. I immortalized family moments, the faces of friends, and the stories woven into the tapestry of everyday existence. This passion led me to pursue formal education at Bray Institute of Further Education in Dublin, Ireland, where I embarked on an incredible three-year odyssey. Here, I not only acquired knowledge but fell deeply in love with the art of filmmaking, allowing me to craft stories that resonate with the human experience.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The Shawshank Redemption" is a critically acclaimed film released in 1994, directed by Frank Darabont and based on a Stephen King novella. It's renowned for its powerful storytelling and cinematography.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

It would be nice to have open screening. Where people can meet and talk to each other.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It was amazing experience. Actually filmmaking it's about team work. We split the roles and my producer Noel Keane found us several wonderful film festivals , we discussed them and he applied our film there.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Ribs and vegetables 😋

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I'm in the process of developing a new film idea, and I want it to be profound and thought-provoking. The film will revolve around the lives of women, exploring their relationships, secrets, and inner thoughts in a serious manner. It's about delving deep into the complexities of their experiences and emotions. I'm working on summarizing the concept and writing the script to bring this vision to life.