Nikola, Nikola
North Macedonia, 17 mins, Digital
In the dead of night, a Macedonian teenager sneaks out to meet a 40-year-old man he’s been messaging online. When their car gets stuck in the remote woods, isolation strips away fantasy, forcing him to reckon with power, desire, and the possibility of real danger.
Director: Leon Ristov
Writer: Leon Ristov, Annie Ning
Producer: Kaustubh “Vick” Singh
Director of Photography: Samir Ljuma
Editor: Martin Ivanov
Production Designer: Kalina Ignovska
Sound Designer: Sashko “Potter” Micevski
Cast: Stefan Jevtic, Filip Trajkovic
Contact: Kaustubh “Vick” Singh, vick@obludafilms.com
Program D
Saturday, May 16, 7 PM
About the Director
Leon Ristov is Macedonian filmmaker based in New York. His work has been recognized by the Sundance Institute Ignite Fellowship, Clermont-Ferrand Euro Connection, and Sony Pictures Classics' Marcie Bloom Fellowship. His films have screened at the Sarajevo Film Festival and over 25 festivals worldwide, winning multiple awards. He holds an MFA in Screenwriting & Directing from Columbia University and a BA in Film Studies from Wesleyan University.
About the Writer
Annie Ning is a filmmaker from the US and China, currently based in New York. She holds a BA in Film and Creative Writing from Wesleyan University and an MFA in Directing from the Columbia University Film program. Her work has gained international festival recognition—her short film, Invasive Species, premiered at Slamdance, Raindance, the Palm Springs International ShortFest and beyond, before receiving Best Narrative Film at the San Diego Asian Film Festival in 2023. It has also been featured on Staff Picks, NOWNESS Asia and Short of the Week. Her most recent project was an inaugural recipient of the Vimeo Short Film Grant by Nikon | RED. She is currently developing the screenplay for her debut feature. Annie was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film, and a Vimeo Breakout Creator of the Year.
About the Producer
Kaustubh Singh (a.k.a. Vick) is a narrative and documentary film producer based in New York City, producing work through Obluda Films. Originally from Singapore, Vick’s short films have been featured at prominent domestic film festivals, including Tribeca, Slamdance, New Orleans, Palm Springs Shortsfest, NewFest, Frameline, and NFFTY, as well as renowned international festivals such as QCinema, FIRST, and Cinemalaya. His work strives to bring the art of film to underrepresented communities around the globe.
