VIKTORI (Short Film)
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Sport
Viktori exposes the beauty and brutality of elite figure skating, unraveling themes of ambition, grief, and the cost of greatness. In a time of growing awareness around mental health and youth exploitation, this story shines a spotlight on urgent issues in sports and beyond.
VIKTORI (Short Film)
New York City, New York | Film Short
Drama, Sport
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $26,800 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
35 supporters | followers
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Viktori exposes the beauty and brutality of elite figure skating, unraveling themes of ambition, grief, and the cost of greatness. In a time of growing awareness around mental health and youth exploitation, this story shines a spotlight on urgent issues in sports and beyond.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Set against the backdrop of elite figure skating, Viktori follows its anti-hero, Viktoria, as she wrestles with the ghosts of her Soviet past, the pressures of her American present, and the complexities of her identity—including her queerness. As she pushes her skaters toward Olympic glory, the film explores the emotional cost of ambition and the uneasy journey toward self-acceptance. What emerges is a raw, immersive portrait of a woman struggling to find her place in the world—on and off the ice.
Synopsis
Viktoria is a former figure skater from the Soviet Union whose Olympic dreams were shattered by injury. Now a successful but feared coach in the United States, she’s preparing two promising young skaters to face off on Olympic ice. As the Games draw near, the emotional weight of Viktoria’s past—and her ruthless obsession with greatness—begins to take its toll. What unfolds is a breakdown both personal and professional, revealing the tragic cost of her relentless, unforgiving love for the sport.
Approach & Production Design
Our film’s visual world lives in sharp contrasts: athleticism vs. glamour, danger vs. grace, perfection vs. perseverance. The style is bold, minimalistic, and emotionally charged. A controlled palette reflects Viktoria’s inner world:
- Blue evokes discipline and emotional distance.
- Red pulses with obsession and rising stakes.
- White symbolizes both purity and punishment.
- Black engulfs the frame with isolation and dread.
Our Target
This film speaks to anyone who has lived under the weight of ambition—athletes, artists, immigrants, and dreamers alike. We hope it will resonate deeply with those in high-pressure, perfection-driven environments, especially women navigating beauty standards, aging, and the emotional cost of success. Viktoria’s story of reinvention—fleeing one rigid system for another in pursuit of the American dream—will connect with audiences shaped by migration, sacrifice, and the search for identity.
Our audience is global: fans of winter sports and Olympic narratives, viewers drawn to dark character studies, and those interested in cultural commentary. While the core may lean female, the film’s themes of power, legacy, and survival are universal—resonating across gender, geography, and generation.
Wishlist
To bring Viktori to life with the bold visual style it demands, we’ve created a wishlist of key production and post-production areas where we’re seeking support. Your contributions will be integral in elevating the film’s authenticity and cinematic quality.
Catering Sponsor/Services: providing nutritious, high-quality meals to keep cast and crew fueled throughout production.
Ice Time + Rink Access: securing rink time is critical for capturing the realism and intimacy of the skating world.
Post-Production Support: funding for color grading, sound design, and final picture polish.
Transportation Partnerships: vehicles or ride services to move cast, crew, and equipment efficiently between sets.
Wardrobe + Costume: sourcing performance-ready skating costumes and fashion-forward wardrobe pieces central to the film’s visual identity.
Festival & Distribution Support: covering submission fees, marketing, and outreach to ensure the film reaches global audiences.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Catering Services for Cast and Crew
Costs $2,000
To provide nutritious meals for our cast and crew, keeping everyone energized, focused, and cared for throughout our production.
Production & Costume Design
Costs $7,875
Custom tracksuits + skating costumes, and thoughtful production design are key to character, story, and visual storytelling.
Above The Line
Costs $2,875
To bring authentic skating to life, we need our talented cast of skaters + a full creative team to shape the film’s heart and vision.
Below The Line
Costs $17,250
Our dedicated crew and essential resources ensure the production runs smoothly, safely, and at the highest quality.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jessica Trombatore
Jessica is a creative director with a distinctive eye for storytelling shaped by an early foundation in competitive figure skating. After retiring from the sport at 16 due to injury, she transitioned into the arts, channeling the same drive and discipline into her creative work. After earning a BFA from Pratt Institute, Jessica spent the past decade building a career in advertising and fashion, specializing in crafting immersive visual worlds that transform bold ideas into compelling campaigns. Her portfolio includes notable collaborations with brands like Athleta, Henry Rose, Johnnie Walker, and Theophilio.
Jessica specializes in crafting work that is not only beautiful but purposeful—guiding each project from concept to execution with a clear creative vision and strategic intent. Now, she is combining her passion for figure skating with her storytelling skills to share a more personal side of herself and the sport she cherishes. Drawing on her background in both athletics and creativity, she continues to approach her work with beauty, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.
Carlos Cardona
Carlos Cardona is an award-winning Colombian American director and cinematographer from Southampton, New York. He has worked in narrative and documentary for over a decade has directed two feature films and has shot feature documentaries and short films. He is particularly interested in stories that deal with identity, race, and class and how they intersect with American culture.
As a cinematographer, Carlos’s recent works include the feature documentary for Paramount+ “Mixtape,” as well as the MAX Original feature documentary “Mostly Harmless”. Carlos wrote and directed, Chiqui, which had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and was cited by multiple sources as a festival highlight of their Indie Episodic Program.
Bradford Watson
is a NYC-based film producer. A graduate of Harvard University, Bradford is also a creative developer from Arkansas who has mastered the intersectionality of code, animation, interactivity, and generative design. As the CEO and Founder of Spinach Media Group, He continues to carve a unique space between community building, artistic expression, and personal ownership. Brad has executively produced nine major productions in the last few months. These productions include a historic showing of LaQuan Smith’s Spring Summer 2022 collection at the Empire State Building as well as producing the official Met Gala After Party event of 2021 & 2022.
Brad has gone on to produce films: Pareidolia in 2022, and Kinetic in 2023
Alicia Assaad
is a producer and filmmaker based in New York. Having gotten her start in fashion films, she has since grown into the independent short and feature film space. She has worked with publications such as LOVEWANT, Vogue Turkiye, and SICKY Magazine, and was recently involved in the marketing of the film "Keys To The City" which was featured in the New York Times and nominated for the Critics Choice award for Best Short Documentary. Alicia is now known for being a co-founder and leading producer at SIRXN Productions: a Brooklyn-based independent production company. Alicia is a Creative Strategist at Spinach Media Group and a production lead at the Brooklyn-based brand Don't Let Disco. Alicia's passion for film lies in the analog film format specifically within 16MM and Super 8 film, and she has led videography for numerous campaigns for brands, musicians, and short films.
Marina Sampaio-Story
is a Brooklyn-based actor, producer, and filmmaker dedicated to innovative, authentic storytelling. A graduate of The New School with a degree in Drama, she seamlessly blends expertise in writing, directing, performance, and production across film, theatre, and digital media. As a co-founder and lead producer of SIRXN Productions, an independent film production company that creates compelling short films, feature films, music videos, and fashion editorial films. Her work prioritizes collaboration and innovation, crafting narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Marina has also contributed to the award-winning podcast How She Made It, specializing in pre-production and social media strategy. Her experience extends into talent management, having trained under industry-renowned Chi Chi Anyanwu as both an assistant and mentee. Driven by a mission to uplift and empower devised and collaborative art communities, Marina is committed to bringing truthful, diverse, and impactful stories to the forefront of media and entertainment.
Blü Gengo
is a producer, writer, and creative force. She is a co-founder behind SIRXN Productions, an independent film production company dedicated to bold, avant-garde, and boundary-pushing storytelling. She specializes in script development, production oversight, and leading writing rooms for short films and independent features. With a passion for dynamic, character-driven narratives, Blü’s work explores identity, culture, and community while amplifying underrepresented voices in film. Beyond writing and producing, she is an active participant in her community, and strives to develop compelling stories and uplift emerging talent.
Steve Smith
is a full-time MBA student at UCLA Anderson in Los Angeles, California graduating in June of 2025. At UCLA, he serves in various leadership roles for the Entertainment Management Association, Student Council, Basketball Club, Black Business Students Association, and Teaching Assistant for Entertainment Globalization. Originally from Atlanta, GA, he attended the University of Georgia as an undergrad and majored in Finance. He began his professional career in banking as a credit analyst before pivoting to consulting where he worked at Accenture as a management consultant, primarily serving as a program manager guiding enterprise software implementations for financial institutions before business school.
Steven’s passion for entertainment took shape during his undergrad years in Athens, GA when he co-founded an events company - Hand Me the Aux - that produced hip-hop, R&B, and electronic concerts in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia. The company still exists today but has evolved into a deejay and production services group.
At UCLA, Steven spent his summer internship at Fox Entertainment in Los Angeles on the Digital Strategy and Business Development team helping build a digital culinary brand - Bite Originals. In the fall, he began an academic internship with an entertainment agency startup, Spinach Media Group, where he served as a financial modeling and business development intern for their film group. He plans to combine his strong finance and strategy background with the creative and business side of entertainment in the Film, TV or Digital space.
Idris Mitchell
Idris Mitchell is a film producer moved to help creatives develop projects that change the narrative and understanding of mental health and wellness. A graduate of Yale University, Idris has both an extensive research background as well as client-facing experience in the health equity space. His passion health advocacy work extends beyond producing and consulting to include public speaking, published writings, and contributions to award-winning media projects, including PBS’s Decolonizing Mental Health.
He currently serves as President and Co-Founder of Spinach Media Group, seeking to supports artists culture-shifting work not at the detriment of their own person, In this role he has executively produced nine major productions in the last few months. These productions include a historic showing of LaQuan Smith’s Spring Summer 2022 collection at the Empire State Building as well as producing the official Met Gala After Party event of 2021 & 2022. Idris grounds his leadership of Spinach not only as a patron of the arts but also as a practitioner who has trained at institutions such as the Peabody Conservatory for Music and the Alvin Ailey School for Dance.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Set against the backdrop of elite figure skating, Viktori follows its anti-hero, Viktoria, as she wrestles with the ghosts of her Soviet past, the pressures of her American present, and the complexities of her identity—including her queerness. As she pushes her skaters toward Olympic glory, the film explores the emotional cost of ambition and the uneasy journey toward self-acceptance. What emerges is a raw, immersive portrait of a woman struggling to find her place in the world—on and off the ice.
Synopsis
Viktoria is a former figure skater from the Soviet Union whose Olympic dreams were shattered by injury. Now a successful but feared coach in the United States, she’s preparing two promising young skaters to face off on Olympic ice. As the Games draw near, the emotional weight of Viktoria’s past—and her ruthless obsession with greatness—begins to take its toll. What unfolds is a breakdown both personal and professional, revealing the tragic cost of her relentless, unforgiving love for the sport.
Approach & Production Design
Our film’s visual world lives in sharp contrasts: athleticism vs. glamour, danger vs. grace, perfection vs. perseverance. The style is bold, minimalistic, and emotionally charged. A controlled palette reflects Viktoria’s inner world:
- Blue evokes discipline and emotional distance.
- Red pulses with obsession and rising stakes.
- White symbolizes both purity and punishment.
- Black engulfs the frame with isolation and dread.
Our Target
This film speaks to anyone who has lived under the weight of ambition—athletes, artists, immigrants, and dreamers alike. We hope it will resonate deeply with those in high-pressure, perfection-driven environments, especially women navigating beauty standards, aging, and the emotional cost of success. Viktoria’s story of reinvention—fleeing one rigid system for another in pursuit of the American dream—will connect with audiences shaped by migration, sacrifice, and the search for identity.
Our audience is global: fans of winter sports and Olympic narratives, viewers drawn to dark character studies, and those interested in cultural commentary. While the core may lean female, the film’s themes of power, legacy, and survival are universal—resonating across gender, geography, and generation.
Wishlist
To bring Viktori to life with the bold visual style it demands, we’ve created a wishlist of key production and post-production areas where we’re seeking support. Your contributions will be integral in elevating the film’s authenticity and cinematic quality.
Catering Sponsor/Services: providing nutritious, high-quality meals to keep cast and crew fueled throughout production.
Ice Time + Rink Access: securing rink time is critical for capturing the realism and intimacy of the skating world.
Post-Production Support: funding for color grading, sound design, and final picture polish.
Transportation Partnerships: vehicles or ride services to move cast, crew, and equipment efficiently between sets.
Wardrobe + Costume: sourcing performance-ready skating costumes and fashion-forward wardrobe pieces central to the film’s visual identity.
Festival & Distribution Support: covering submission fees, marketing, and outreach to ensure the film reaches global audiences.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Catering Services for Cast and Crew
Costs $2,000
To provide nutritious meals for our cast and crew, keeping everyone energized, focused, and cared for throughout our production.
Production & Costume Design
Costs $7,875
Custom tracksuits + skating costumes, and thoughtful production design are key to character, story, and visual storytelling.
Above The Line
Costs $2,875
To bring authentic skating to life, we need our talented cast of skaters + a full creative team to shape the film’s heart and vision.
Below The Line
Costs $17,250
Our dedicated crew and essential resources ensure the production runs smoothly, safely, and at the highest quality.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jessica Trombatore
Jessica is a creative director with a distinctive eye for storytelling shaped by an early foundation in competitive figure skating. After retiring from the sport at 16 due to injury, she transitioned into the arts, channeling the same drive and discipline into her creative work. After earning a BFA from Pratt Institute, Jessica spent the past decade building a career in advertising and fashion, specializing in crafting immersive visual worlds that transform bold ideas into compelling campaigns. Her portfolio includes notable collaborations with brands like Athleta, Henry Rose, Johnnie Walker, and Theophilio.
Jessica specializes in crafting work that is not only beautiful but purposeful—guiding each project from concept to execution with a clear creative vision and strategic intent. Now, she is combining her passion for figure skating with her storytelling skills to share a more personal side of herself and the sport she cherishes. Drawing on her background in both athletics and creativity, she continues to approach her work with beauty, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.
Carlos Cardona
Carlos Cardona is an award-winning Colombian American director and cinematographer from Southampton, New York. He has worked in narrative and documentary for over a decade has directed two feature films and has shot feature documentaries and short films. He is particularly interested in stories that deal with identity, race, and class and how they intersect with American culture.
As a cinematographer, Carlos’s recent works include the feature documentary for Paramount+ “Mixtape,” as well as the MAX Original feature documentary “Mostly Harmless”. Carlos wrote and directed, Chiqui, which had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and was cited by multiple sources as a festival highlight of their Indie Episodic Program.
Bradford Watson
is a NYC-based film producer. A graduate of Harvard University, Bradford is also a creative developer from Arkansas who has mastered the intersectionality of code, animation, interactivity, and generative design. As the CEO and Founder of Spinach Media Group, He continues to carve a unique space between community building, artistic expression, and personal ownership. Brad has executively produced nine major productions in the last few months. These productions include a historic showing of LaQuan Smith’s Spring Summer 2022 collection at the Empire State Building as well as producing the official Met Gala After Party event of 2021 & 2022.
Brad has gone on to produce films: Pareidolia in 2022, and Kinetic in 2023
Alicia Assaad
is a producer and filmmaker based in New York. Having gotten her start in fashion films, she has since grown into the independent short and feature film space. She has worked with publications such as LOVEWANT, Vogue Turkiye, and SICKY Magazine, and was recently involved in the marketing of the film "Keys To The City" which was featured in the New York Times and nominated for the Critics Choice award for Best Short Documentary. Alicia is now known for being a co-founder and leading producer at SIRXN Productions: a Brooklyn-based independent production company. Alicia is a Creative Strategist at Spinach Media Group and a production lead at the Brooklyn-based brand Don't Let Disco. Alicia's passion for film lies in the analog film format specifically within 16MM and Super 8 film, and she has led videography for numerous campaigns for brands, musicians, and short films.
Marina Sampaio-Story
is a Brooklyn-based actor, producer, and filmmaker dedicated to innovative, authentic storytelling. A graduate of The New School with a degree in Drama, she seamlessly blends expertise in writing, directing, performance, and production across film, theatre, and digital media. As a co-founder and lead producer of SIRXN Productions, an independent film production company that creates compelling short films, feature films, music videos, and fashion editorial films. Her work prioritizes collaboration and innovation, crafting narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Marina has also contributed to the award-winning podcast How She Made It, specializing in pre-production and social media strategy. Her experience extends into talent management, having trained under industry-renowned Chi Chi Anyanwu as both an assistant and mentee. Driven by a mission to uplift and empower devised and collaborative art communities, Marina is committed to bringing truthful, diverse, and impactful stories to the forefront of media and entertainment.
Blü Gengo
is a producer, writer, and creative force. She is a co-founder behind SIRXN Productions, an independent film production company dedicated to bold, avant-garde, and boundary-pushing storytelling. She specializes in script development, production oversight, and leading writing rooms for short films and independent features. With a passion for dynamic, character-driven narratives, Blü’s work explores identity, culture, and community while amplifying underrepresented voices in film. Beyond writing and producing, she is an active participant in her community, and strives to develop compelling stories and uplift emerging talent.
Steve Smith
is a full-time MBA student at UCLA Anderson in Los Angeles, California graduating in June of 2025. At UCLA, he serves in various leadership roles for the Entertainment Management Association, Student Council, Basketball Club, Black Business Students Association, and Teaching Assistant for Entertainment Globalization. Originally from Atlanta, GA, he attended the University of Georgia as an undergrad and majored in Finance. He began his professional career in banking as a credit analyst before pivoting to consulting where he worked at Accenture as a management consultant, primarily serving as a program manager guiding enterprise software implementations for financial institutions before business school.
Steven’s passion for entertainment took shape during his undergrad years in Athens, GA when he co-founded an events company - Hand Me the Aux - that produced hip-hop, R&B, and electronic concerts in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia. The company still exists today but has evolved into a deejay and production services group.
At UCLA, Steven spent his summer internship at Fox Entertainment in Los Angeles on the Digital Strategy and Business Development team helping build a digital culinary brand - Bite Originals. In the fall, he began an academic internship with an entertainment agency startup, Spinach Media Group, where he served as a financial modeling and business development intern for their film group. He plans to combine his strong finance and strategy background with the creative and business side of entertainment in the Film, TV or Digital space.
Idris Mitchell
Idris Mitchell is a film producer moved to help creatives develop projects that change the narrative and understanding of mental health and wellness. A graduate of Yale University, Idris has both an extensive research background as well as client-facing experience in the health equity space. His passion health advocacy work extends beyond producing and consulting to include public speaking, published writings, and contributions to award-winning media projects, including PBS’s Decolonizing Mental Health.
He currently serves as President and Co-Founder of Spinach Media Group, seeking to supports artists culture-shifting work not at the detriment of their own person, In this role he has executively produced nine major productions in the last few months. These productions include a historic showing of LaQuan Smith’s Spring Summer 2022 collection at the Empire State Building as well as producing the official Met Gala After Party event of 2021 & 2022. Idris grounds his leadership of Spinach not only as a patron of the arts but also as a practitioner who has trained at institutions such as the Peabody Conservatory for Music and the Alvin Ailey School for Dance.