My name is Ekaterina, and I’m an emerging filmmaker and visual storyteller based in Canada. I come from a 3D art and animation background, and over the past few years, I’ve been developing my own original stories while also building a folklore-focused YouTube presence.
Right now, I’m working on a sci-fi drama project that blends science fiction and Eastern European folklore. I’m hoping to eventually develop it into an animated series.
Animatic trailer of the project: https://youtu.be/QNUI_SCVauw
I’ll be attending the Cannes Film Festival for the first time this year, so I’m especially excited to connect with other creatives, learn more about the industry, and take steps toward bringing my projects to life.
I’d love to meet other filmmakers, writers, and artists here—feel free to reach out and say hi or share what you’re working on!
1 person likes this
Hey Ekaterina Pavlova - Welcome to Stage 32! What a neat animatic! And congratulations on your visit to Cannes! Stage 32 has a free webinar on how to navigate Cannes that you may be interested in. Here's the link to it: https://www.stage32.com/education/my-library/10121970647347/learn
Also, here’s a great post that will help you navigate Stage 32: https://www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-p....
Be sure to stop by the animation lounge and get to know some of your fellow animators: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/animation
It's so nice to meet you Ekaterina! Glad you're with us!
1 person likes this
Great to have you here! I'd recommend posting your work on your STage 32 profile so when you are networking here and people click on your profile people can see what you do. Looking forward to meeting you in Cannes! We'll be posting our official Cannes Roll Call on the blog next week. In the meantime you can RSVP to our events here: https://www.stage32.com/meetups/2068/PANEL-Women-in-Film-Building-Collec... and here:https://www.stage32.com/meetups/2070/Cannes-Film-Festival-2026-Stage-32-Meetup-OFFICIAL
1 person likes this
Ekaterina Pavlova Welcome! I hope you'll join us at our upcoming webcasts in the Writers' Room. Sign up for a Free Month of the Writers’ Room: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip
1 person likes this
Hi Ekaterina Pavlova, welcome to Stage 32! I’m Ashley, Head of Community here on the platform. It’s great to meet you, and your project sounds incredibly fun. Blending sci-fi with Eastern European folklore is such a neat creative space, especially for animation.
As you start building connections here, I’d encourage you to stay active and visible in the Filmmaking Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing). Sharing your process, your animatic, and your worldbuilding approach will help you connect with creatives who are drawn to similar storytelling.
Also, since you’ll be attending Cannes for the first time, make sure you join us at the official Stage 32 meetup. It’s a great opportunity to meet fellow creatives in person:
https://www.stage32.com/meetups/2070/Cannes-Film-Festival-2026-Stage-32-...
Your project has a really unique blend of genres and influences. What inspired you to combine sci-fi with Eastern European folklore for this story?
1 person likes this
Hi Ekaterina
I would like to compose music score for the film. Let’s connect if you require
Thank you for the warm welcome, Ashley Renée Smith I'm looking forward to the meetup! The reason why my project combines sci-fi and Eastern European folklore is the lack of representation of Eastern European culture in the media. Also, I grew up watching trash supernatural investigation shows on TV. It was meant to happen!
AC Raj Love the enthusiasm, there is only money between us and this dream!
1 person likes this
Thank you for the tips Leonardo Ramirez ! The Cannes tutorial is what brought me to Stage32. I saw the link in my email and registered on Stage32
Thank you for the invitation @Amanda Toney, I added it to my calendar!
Thank you for the resources, Laura Hammer !
1 person likes this
Ekaterina, great to meet you—your blend of sci-fi and Eastern European folklore sounds visually and creatively exciting, especially with your animation background. With Cannes coming up, this is a great time to build connections and momentum, and Stage 32 can help you continue those conversations—we’re always here to support and guide you!
Hey Ekaterina Pavlova! Sci fi blended with Eastern European folklore is a fresh and exciting combo. That animatic trailer is a smart way to show the visual tone. Since you're heading to Cannes for the first time, definitely check out the Stage 32 in person meetup there. It's a great way to connect with other creatives face to face: https://www.stage32.com/meetups/2070/Cannes-Film-Festival-2026-Stage-32-... What's the folklore element you're most excited to explore in the series?
Your approach to storytelling is strong. I’m working on a project reimagining Ravana as a complex anti-hero rather than a villain. Do you think audiences are ready for mythological characters to be portrayed in morally grey shades?
Yes Sachin Yadav , morally grey shades are more relatable for people. Even in daily life, each action will 100% upset someone, even if it is something good. We are always a villain in someone's story. Great idea!
Thank you for your kind words Laquan Copeland
Sam Rivera I'm really excited to connect to the Russian tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf," where sci-fi characters take the place of folk characters. Also, the overall representation of the experience of growing up in Eastern Europe.
That’s a powerful way to look at it — “we are always a villain in someone’s story” really connects with the direction I’m exploring.
I’m trying to build Ravana not just as a mythological figure, but as someone shaped by ambition, ego, and perspective — almost like a tragic anti-hero.
Your idea of blending folklore with sci-fi sounds really interesting too. How do you approach maintaining emotional authenticity when working with such layered worlds?
Sachin Yadav maintaining emotional authenticity in storytelling is the skill I naturally possess. If you are going to check my other works on youtube KatiaPavlovart, it is in every story.
1 person likes this
That’s really interesting — emotional authenticity is what makes a story stay with the audience. I’ll definitely check out your work. I also try to explore morally grey characters where emotions drive decisions rather than just plot.