Captured by Soviet ghosts, a Slavic Firebird breaks free and becomes Ania, a fiery teen in 90s Ukraine, who burns with every kiss and fights a crumbling legacy desperate to steal her spark.
A Slavic Firebird, captured by Soviet ghosts, breaks free and finds herself as Ania—a fiery teen living in a Ukrainian town in the 90s. As she struggles to navigate love and desire against all odds, every passionate encounter sets her ablaze, pulling her closer to a predestined rebirth. Haunted by captors desperate to steal her spark and revive their crumbling myths, Ania moves through village houses, underground clubs, and football matches, crossing the raw, awkward terrain of self-discovery. As she battles for her freedom, the past tightens its grip, threatening to consume her—but from the ashes of old worlds, a new future is rising.
Director’s statement
The idea for the film came from my personal experience of a late coming out after immigration. Growing up in a tight, heteronormative environment, I often wondered what the queer community looked like in my hometown when I was a teenager. In 2023, I began collecting the first queer archive of Mykolaiv, gathering memories from queer community members from the 90s and early 2000s. Along the way, I discovered another archive, created by journalist Kateryna Farbar, focused solely on Ukrainian lesbian history.
Country of production
Poland
Target audience
Young adults & adults
Animation technique
3D (CGI)
Production company
BlurredEstimated budget
112 025 EUR
Funding secured
5 000 EUR - Post-production service from PFX Italy Company (as award from the MASO Pitching at Bolzano Film Festival Bosen in April 2025); 6 785 EUR - Producer's own investment and in-kinds (Poland)
Stage of the project
Pre-production
Looking for
Co-producer, sales agent, distributor, animators
