This approach redefines how we showcase destinations, cultures, airlines, resorts, and cruise lines, offering a fresh and captivating way to elevate their image.
Our Values
Our world is a tapestry of diversity, seamlessly connected by shared air, water, and resources. We all strive for progress and fulfillment, transcending borders. Through the power of emotionally resonant short narrative films and documentaries, we bridge cultures and inspire a global curiosity for exploration and travel. We believe a film is a unifying force capable of sparking interest, fostering compassion, and deepening awareness. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and enrich the global community through creative storytelling that leaves a lasting impact.
- A Hollywood film crafted to tell a gripping story, evoke deep genuine emotions, and subtly promote without overtly selling. It’s a star-studded Hollywood production featuring names everyone recognizes, poised for awards, including the Oscars. A Hollywood film that reaches millions through Netflix or Amazon Prime—and that’s just the beginning.
Making a good film is like carrying a baby and giving birth – a good project takes time! We cannot do it faster if we want it to be perfect.
And… creating something of good quality requires both time and a team. It truly takes a village! In Two Breaths’ case, it took an island to produce an award-winning film…. An excellent crew is very important in filmmaking!
Our dedicated team includes award-winning industry professionals and emerging young talent, all passionate about bringing important stories to life. To ensure flexibility, we have prepared three budget options—accordingly named “Fatty,” “Medium,” and “Skinny”—to best suit the project’s needs. Each budget option has its limitations, which we’ll briefly outline below to ensure everything is clear and easily understood.
Kateryna
Kateryna Kurganska:
A Filmmaker Rooted in Authenticity
and Adventure
Ukrainian-American filmmaker Kateryna Kurganska is a rising Hollywood star whose journeys across 70 countries have ignited her passion for visual storytelling and her profound connection to the world.
Through her lens, she explores what it truly means to belong to the global tapestry, capturing the essence of human experience and discovery. Born in Luhansk, Eastern Ukraine, she moved to the U.S. as a refugee in 2014, with Hawai’i being the first place to greet her.
The words “Welcome to your new home” marked the beginning of a new chapter and chasing her dreams, leading her to earn an MFA from the prestigious University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, a hub of filmmaking excellence associated with industry names like George Lucas, Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, and Ryan Coogler.
In a short period, Kateryna’s works have gained international acclaim at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, the Austin Film Festival, the Hawai’i International Film Festival, the Catalyst Story Institute, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (The Emmys), Flickers’ Rhode Island, and many other prestigious events.
Celebrated for her collaborative approach to storytelling and known for her dedication to teamwork, Kateryna believes that while one can walk fast alone, true progress in filmmaking comes from walking far together. Kateryna brings the most talented people in the industry and top Hollywood professionals to her projects.
Through her work, she champions diversity in filmmaking, amplifying underrepresented voices and shedding light on lesser-known travel perspectives. By opting for real-world locations over Hollywood sets and preferring the lush vibrancy of jungles to the confines of green screen walls, she brings a raw authenticity to her films. This approach not only enriches the realism of her movies and elevates diverse narratives but also underscores the power of film tourism as a dynamic way to target and captivate audiences through festivals and global distribution.
Two Breaths: Tribute to Island’s Beauty and Underwater World
Filmed entirely on the Big Island of Hawai’i, Two Breaths reflects Kateryna’s personal journey through the story of Ava, an 11-year-old local girl confronting her past after a man-made disaster devastates her island. With the help of the island’s spirit, majestic Two Breaths, Ava must find the strength to move forward and leave her home-destroyed island.
Two Breaths
Click here to download the PDF media kit for Two Breaths
The Hawaiian Islands hold a special place in Kateryna’s heart, providing her with a sense of shelter after the painful war in her homeland and a challenging immigration journey.
“As a refugee, Two Breaths resonates deeply with me. It’s about how home is an intrinsic part of identity and stays with you no matter where you go,” Kateryna shares. She emphasizes that an underlying message is the importance of living in harmony with nature for a sustainable future.
In Two Breaths, though the island is fictional, it draws a clear connection to the Marshall Islands and the shores of Teahupo’o—where, fifty years ago this July, the silent aftermath of a French nuclear test left a lasting scar. While Teahupo’o is now celebrated as a site for the 2024 Olympic Games, few recognize the deep wounds that nuclear testing inflicted on island communities, a history Kateryna poignantly brings to light.
Photos by Ira Holubieva, Ben Wilson
Two Breaths’ resonant message, shaped by Kateryna’s experiences witnessing the aftermath of conflict, has earned international recognition, including as a finalist at the American Pavilion during the Festival de Cannes and accolades at numerous Academy Award®-qualifying festivals, grabbing the attention of hundreds of thousands of audiences in just four months.
Short Documentaries and Narratives
for Travel Brands
Kateryna’s work has already gained recognition from Film Independent, FOX, Kodak, Hawai’i Media Inc., Nanlux, Nanlite, Skywalker Sound, Atlas Lens, ARRI, and Luma Pictures. As a practitioner of adventurous content creation, Kateryna and her team produce bespoke branded content for a diverse range of clients, including major tourism brands.
Her passion transcends traditional narrative filmmaking, extending into branded documentaries and branded short narratives—immersive cinematic experiences that resonate deeply with global audiences.
What is a branded documentary? It’s a type of video content created by marketers to tell stories that resonate with their brand’s mission and values. The goal is to engage the audience while subtly and elegantly integrating the brand. This method can range from a fully branded film to more discreet inclusion of the brand’s products within the narrative.
People naturally connect with personal, vulnerable, and cinematic stories. Branded documentaries can provide a unique opportunity to tell your story in a way that resonates with viewers on a personal level—without impositions or obstructions, but in a sincere, sound, and honest way. This emotional bond can transform casual customers into loyal brand supporters and fans.
Kateryna’s upcoming projects include a captivating array of art documentaries, each grounded in the kind of raw authenticity and cultural resonance reminiscent of Anthony Bourdain. Among them is a film featuring Mitsuki Hara, a world-record-holding spearfisher woman who catches fish twice her size with nothing but a stick; a long-awaited Kateryna interview with Kurt Chambers, the USA Men’s National Freediving record-holder, and a world champion freediver; and an art project spotlighting a QUEER professional ballet dancer from the MET Theater in New York, who defies conventions by brilliantly embodying female roles. These films offer immense potential for tourism and brand partnerships, engaging audiences through stunning art and meaningful education.
Are you ready to work with Kateryna’s team to create a film?
BUILDING IT TOGETHER
Development:
This stage encompasses research, pitching, and initial concept development. We prepare tailored ideas for potential clients, and once we meet, we engage in collaborative discussions to refine or establish a theme—whether it’s brought by the client or developed together. Following this, we conduct in-depth research and create visual decks, scripts, and comprehensive treatments that bring the concept to life. We also pitch branded documentaries, narrative films, and immersive experiential content that blend storytelling with brand engagement, offering a unique fusion of art and marketing.
Pre-production:
In this phase, we take charge of all the vital logistics—budgeting, scheduling, securing permits, and arranging insurance. We also provide location scouting, casting, hiring of specialized crews, and sourcing equipment. Our team will organize travel and accommodations for on-location shoots, ensuring all logistical needs are addressed seamlessly.
Production:
Here, we execute the vision. From filming and gathering footage to managing on-set coordination, our crew ensures that the creative process runs efficiently. We also offer drone cinematography, underwater filming, 360° VR capture, and behind-the-scenes content creation for marketing and social media engagement.
Post-production:
This stage involves the full suite of post-production services, including editing, sound design, color grading, and any necessary VFX. We also handle scoring and original music composition, motion graphics, and animation for enhanced storytelling. Additionally, we provide translation and subtitling services to ensure the content resonates with global audiences.
Festivals, Distribution, and PR/Press:
Once the project is complete, we craft a strategic plan for festival submissions, distribution, and outreach. This includes festival placement strategies, direct-to-streaming options, and potential theatrical releases. We also offer full-scale PR and press campaigns, including digital marketing, influencer outreach, and promotional partnerships to maximize visibility.
Audience Engagement and Social Media Marketing:
To complement distribution, we provide audience engagement strategies, leveraging social media platforms for pre-launch buzz, trailer drops, and interactive marketing campaigns. We also offer content creation for social media, including custom reels, interviews, and teasers designed to captivate your target audience.
Merchandising and Cross-Promotions:
For projects with a commercial or branded component, we assist with merchandising strategies, creating opportunities for cross-promotional partnerships and licensing deals that extend the reach of your film beyond the screen.
Budget:
Budgeting is highly customized and based on the project’s scope. For example, filming underwater or in remote locations often costs more due to specialized equipment, insurance, and logistical considerations. We work with you to define these parameters early, ensuring the production aligns with creative and financial goals.
Our wide range of services ensures that every aspect of your project, from conception to final distribution, is handled with precision and creativity, positioning your content for success across multiple platforms.
Join Kateryna on a Journey of Authentic Storytelling
Whether you’re a brand looking to connect with global audiences through captivating narratives or a partner seeking to create meaningful, visually stunning content, Kateryna Kurganska and her team are ready to collaborate with you.
Together, we can craft films that resonate, inspire, and leave a lasting impact.
Let’s bring your travel story to life.
Contact us to arrange a brainstorming session with Kateryna and her team.
SEYCHELLES,
a branded documentary idea
Many people know the Seychelles for its beautiful beaches and luxury hotels. However, by bringing genuine, authentic stories to commercial tourism, we can help viewers to connect more deeply with the country.
Think of it this way: When you watch a movie, you care about the protagonist and worry about their journey.
In a well-made film, you become emotionally invested, and by the end, you feel like you know the character, like a close friend.
It’s just a matter of finding the proper subjects and pitching the idea to the client. Perhaps the client already has specific content dreams and needs.
The point is that what we create can be educating, entertaining, and emotionally fulfilling for the audience. There will always be a meaningful story within, not just the typical beautiful branded videos you see all over Instagram.
Imagine the incredible, heartfelt film we could create by showcasing the artists of Seychelles, for instance.
Documentaries can be about ANYTHING and filmed ANYWHERE!
Indonesia & Holistic Medicine
In today’s fast-paced world, where new pharmaceutical breakthroughs are often hailed as a miracle only to be questioned soon after, we sometimes lose sight of the wisdom found in holistic healing. We’d love to create an art, poetic documentary that explores the balance between modern medicine and traditional remedies in the most cinematic way. Indonesia, with its rich history of natural healing, provides the perfect backdrop for this exploration.
Our team aims to uncover heartfelt, authentic stories and capture the essence of holistic medicine—not as an alternative to modern health care but as a complement and perfect match. Our goal is simple: to spark the audience’s curiosity by showing how both approaches, when combined, can improve the quality of mental and physical health.
Rather than pushing an agenda, we want the audience to discover the power of these practices together with us. Authenticity is at the core of this project because we believe our audience is smart and drawn only to true emotional stories, not advertising. By connecting viewers with the genuine side of holistic medicine, we hope to inspire a deeper interest in holistic practices and their benefits, and as a result, grow interest in medical tourism in Indonesia.
Short Narrative Ideas
We can do the same with fiction films.
Solomon Islands
Imagine the Solomon Islands, where sea levels rise three times faster than the global average. These islands are the site of the first “sinking islands” of the 21st century, with five already disappearing beneath the ocean.
Now, imagine this: We could write a 10-15-page screenplay and create a film about an 8-year-old local kid who lives with his dad. From the child’s imaginative perspective, he tries to save his home from rising waters. What a sweet yet heartbreaking story that could be. By involving a child’s imagination and addressing these critical issues, the film would touch hearts and make everyone who watches it deeply aware of these communities’ challenges. And that doesn’t mean all films have to be sad! They can be happy, sweet, bittersweet, or include a mix of emotions.
Sample Budgets
Every production is different. For reference only:
Fatty $550.000-$750,000
Costs include impactful options, allowing us to collaborate with top Hollywood professionals and production houses, maximizing the film’s reach and visibility. For example, we could bring on board world-renowned sound designer Jamey Scott, who would record on set and complete post-production at George Lucas’s iconic Skywalker Sound. Jamey’s current work with Marvel Studios and his collaborations with legendary filmmakers like Ridley Scott and Cameron Crowe demonstrate his exceptional expertise. Additionally, the film’s color grading would be handled by colorists at Company 3, Hollywood’s most respected post-production house (Deadpool & Wolverine, Twisters, Stranger Things, The Fall Guy, Killers of the Flower Moon, etc.). Most importantly, the “Fatty” budget includes a skilled publicist who could secure coverage in top-tier outlets like the L.A. Times and Variety, ensuring a minimum of 500,000 reads. This PR and festival circuit work would help the film gain entry into festivals worldwide and achieve millions of views in theaters before distribution.
Medium: $350,000-$450,000
The “Medium” option simplifies production. Although it offers slightly less access to top-tier professionals and production houses, we will still collaborate with experienced filmmakers and bring on some well-known talent.
Skinny: $150.000 – $250.000
The “Skinny” option offers a streamlined approach that focuses on collaborating with talented, up-and-coming, and professional filmmakers passionate about making their mark in the film world. We’ve worked with them before and are confident in their ability to deliver excellent results. While this option involves fewer technical resources, their enthusiasm and creativity make up for it. Flexible equipment.
This budget usually doesn’t include a publicist.
Timeline
| Steps | Time Frame | Details |
|---|---|---|
| DEVELOPMENT | 1,5 -4 months | On-the-ground research in Indonesia, pitching, and initial concept development. We prepare tailored ideas and, once the client approves, conduct in-depth research and create visual decks, scripts, and comprehensive treatments that bring the concept to life. |
| PRE-PRODUCTION | 1,5 -6 months | We handle all vital logistics, including budgeting, scheduling, securing permits, and arranging insurance. Additionally, we take care of location scouting, protagonists’ casting, hiring specialized crews, and sourcing equipment. Our team organizes travel and accommodations for on-location shoots, ensuring that all logistical needs are seamlessly addressed. |
| PRODUCTION | 1 – 3 months | FILMING. We bring the vision to life. From filming and capturing footage to managing on-set coordination, our crew ensures the creative process runs smoothly and efficiently. |
| POST-PRODUCTION | 3- 6 months | This stage involves the full suite of post-production services, including editing, sound design, color grading. We also handle scoring and original music composition. Additionally, we provide translation and subtitling services to ensure the content resonates with global audiences. |
| FESTIVAL CIRCUIT ANDDISTRIBUTION | 12 months | Once the project is complete, we craft a strategic plan for festival submissions, distribution, and outreach (depending on the budget you’ll go with). This includes festival placement strategies, direct-to-streaming options, and potential theatrical releases. We also offer full-scale PR, press campaigns, and Hollywood /US Market promotional partnerships to maximize visibility. *Please note that festival acceptances are never guaranteed, but we will develop the right strategy to achieve the highest acceptance rate possible for the current year. |
Film Festivals (sample)
- Sundance Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 41 Years.
- Slamdance Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 30 Years.
- Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival
(Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying): Years Running 29 Years. - Seattle International Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 47 Years.
- Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) (Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 49 Years.
- Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) (Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 72 Years.
- Chicago International Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 60 Years.
- Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 49 Years.
- American Film Institute Festival (AFI FEST) (Academy Award ® Qualifying, BAFTA Qualifying, BIFA Qualifying) Years Running 38 Years
- Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) (Academy Award ® Qualifying) Years Running 44 Years.
- Austin Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying) Years Running 31 Years.
- Tribeca Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying) Years Running 22 Years.
- San Francisco International Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying, Canadian Screen Award Qualifying) Years Running 68 Years.
- Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival (Academy Award ® Qualifying) Years Running 17 Years.