Project Development
"Varvara" tells the story of Sasa, a gasman who does his job honestly and refuses to live by the rules of a society infected with corruption. The premature birth of his daughter, who suffers from a developmental anomaly, challenges him to confront the double standards of a fallen world.
VARVARA film project (SANTA BARBARA working title) was developed and presented in Transylvania Pitch Stop during TIFF 2018. It was pitched in front of industry participants and mentioned as one of the best projects winning a €5.000 cash award from the Romanian National Film Center.
SANTA BARBARA project was also developed in Talents Sarajevo Pack&Pitch sessions, generously supported by CineLink Industry Days during Sarajevo Film Festival 2019.
After Bosnia and Hercegovina, the project was developed again in Romania, during FILM+ a Development Lab in Bucharest.
In January 2020, the project was presented in Brussels during Bridges Film Days in an informal panel discussion in front of industry representatives from Belgium, aimed at highlighting the story and producing strategy.
In the first months of 2020, the project was funded by National Film Center and also the project was supported by EU Program "Confidence Building Measures", funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. Then, the project was presented during EAVE Producers Workshop (Luxembourg 2020) and in several business meetings during Producers Network 2020 (Cannes 2020).
In April 2021 the project was pitched during Meeting Point Vilnius (Lithuania) and after 42 shooting days, the project was selected to be presented as a work in progress during the industry section of the San Sebastian International Film Festival - WIP EUROPA.
Starting with 2022, the project was presented in the world’s top film markets, including Marche du Film in Cannes (France), Ventana Sur Film Market (Argentina), European Film Market in Berlin (Germany), MAC 7 (USA).
At this point, the film is awaiting the International Premiere at one of the Major Film Festival, while the National Premiere of the film is set for June, 6th, 2023.