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• What sparked the idea for this film?

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Rooted in Daniela’s own life and shaped by extensive research into ancient myths, contemporary issues, esoteric teachings, and diverse world cultures, Sânziana marks the first step in bringing her distinct narrative voice to the screen, while remaining financially feasible.​

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• Can you talk about a tough moment during filming and how you handled it?

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For someone filming, managing, and producing a film for the first time, nearly every aspect felt like a challenge. Perhaps the toughest, yet, surprisingly, one of the most enjoyable moments was shooting on a cold, rainy day out on a bridge. We were already working overtime, and it wasn’t until after we had wrapped and packed away all the equipment that we realised we had forgotten to film a crucial scene: the protagonist’s emergency call, a vital moment in the story.

• What's one memory from production that stands out?

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After seven months of searching and several tryouts, the producer-writer-director finally found the right animation artist — Eugenia Cynthiaputri — who worked closely with the story creator to complete the entire animation for the dream sequences. The collaboration lasted an intense three months, from May to August 2024, and quite a few weeks extra after that working with the Sound Designer to finalise the sound.

• How did you pick your cast, especially for the lead roles?

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The lead role for the character Ileana was performed by FRANCESCA AMURA  with whom Daniela Stemate worked for the first time on the mini shoot on a short film course at the City Academy a few months prior. Her talent, ease of performance and professionalism impressed. The following three members of cast applied to the production through mandy.com: Man - LEO ANAND the only other actor seen IN SHOT in the film who fit the character effortlessly quite from the start his audition tape; Maria, the Hypnotherapist- AGATA MARIA FRANKOWASKA , who first auditioned for the Ileana role, and Cristian - RICHARD TRIST gave their performances OUT OF SHOT in the phone conversation scenes.

• What do you hope people get from watching your film?

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By shining a light on the dream world and the psyche, the creator aims to offer viewers a deeper understanding of the profound effects of childhood trauma — particularly the often-silenced experiences of sexual assault, but also to open the door wider into the intricacies of inner living. This work highlights how traumas shape both children and adults, and how justice is all too often elusive. Breaking this silence and stigma is a crucial step toward healing.

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Through storytelling, Daniela Stemate hopes to raise awareness and to empower others to embrace self-acceptance and seek support. This approach has the potential to foster empathy, encourage open conversations, and contribute to a more understanding and compassionate society.

• How is this film different from your previous work?

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This project marks the first time Daniela Stemate has fully produced, written, and directed a work on her own—a significant personal and professional milestone. It gave her the freedom to incorporate fantastical elements drawn from world mythologies, folklore, and symbolism, allowing her to express her creative voice while drawing inspiration from her ethnic roots.

• What techniques did you use to give the film its unique style?

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The narrative was told through live-action footage as well as animation to depict the parallel worlds of daily life and the happenings of the mind closely intertwined and propelling each-other in a three act story of the hero’s journey with folkloric and symbolism from dark fairytales. Here, Daniela Stemate’s Fantasy storytelling style and the subject of creative interest comes through with intention, but also naturally, in fact forcefully diminished due to budget constraints as well as the scope of the project. 

• How did you manage your budget and resources for this film?

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The film’s budget was managed with a careful balance between cost control and quality, particularly given the challenges of a debut project and the inherent complexities of animation. Gradually increasing demands on the budget are common in first-time productions, often due to unforeseen factors or the pursuit of higher standards in areas such as sound design, colour grading, promotional materials, and equipment.

Essential elements were prioritised without compromising significantly on quality, while maintaining flexibility when justified, fostering a thoughtful and adaptive approach to decision-making. This experience has been invaluable, providing a clearer understanding of how to allocate resources effectively and anticipate hidden costs in future film productions.

• What projects are you working on next?

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A fantasy TV series following ancient mythical figures as they confront the unfamiliar modern world in their quest for power—across Earth and the realms above and below

• Any tips for someone just starting out in filmmaking?

Having a strong script is essential, but equally important is planning how to tell the story in the most authentic and creative way, while keeping costs low and quality high. Striking a balance between creativity and budget, remaining resilient through inevitable challenges, and maintaining focus on the vision and the team are all crucial. Starting with at least a 30% financial contingency is also key to managing the unpredictable nature of production.

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Another core principle of filmmaking is to never assume that challenges make the process "hard"—issues will arise at every step, but the real skill lies in finding the best and fastest solutions.

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Additionally, it’s important to remain mindful of how to support and promote the careers of cast and crew, both during production and long after it ends, in order to honour everyone’s contribution to the filmmaking journey.