Pure Magic

A crew of neurodivergent artists collaborates to document the unique creative process of Tamara Finlay, a stop-motion artist whose work blends family history, folklore, and personal healing. Drawing from her Ukrainian roots, Tamara incorporates her grandparents, the mythic Baba Yaga, and fragments of her past self to explore themes of identity, heritage, and resilience. As she brings her visions to life, Tamara taps into the power of art to bridge generational divides, using creativity as a means of healing that transcends both time and trauma one frame at a time.

  • Natasha Beste
    Director
    Times a God Zillion
  • Tamara Finlay
    Writer, Narrator, and Animator
  • Kevin Eckert
    Director of Photography
  • 7 Cylinders Studio
    Producer
  • Tamara Finlay
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Stop-motion, documentary, Ukrainian, Artist, Animator, Neurodivergent
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 25, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    4,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • "Spotlight Detroit" on Detroit PBS
    Detroit, MI
    United States
    March 31, 2025
    World Premiere
  • Detroit International Festival of Animation
    Detroit, MI
    United States
    April 5, 2025
  • Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti (iFFY)
    Ypsilanti, MI
    United States
    April 19, 2025
    Finalist
  • NeuroVisions Film Festival
    Putney, VT
    United States
    April 25, 2025
    Award Winner for Best of Category
  • Moviate Underground Film Festival
    Harrisburg, PA
    United States
    May 16, 2025
  • Film Blast 2000
    Hamtramck, MI
    United States
    June 7, 2025
Director Biography - Natasha Beste

Natasha Beste is a video director, installation artist, animator, performer, and educator whose work has been showcased at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Media City Film Festival, MOCAD, Detroit Institute of Arts, and the University of Michigan Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design. Since 2006, Beste has taught media arts at Wayne State University, Marygrove College, Y-Arts at the Boll Family YMCA, and Ladybug Studios and currently teaches at the College for Creative Studies and Living Arts in Detroit, Michigan. Since 2010, she’s been co-director of Gold House Media, a boutique video production company and has been commissioned by Kresge Arts in Detroit and Cranbrook Art Museum. She is a 2022 Gilda Award winner for her interdisciplinary art, produces music and sings under the title Odd Hours, co-owns a 3D-printed jewelry and apparel brand called Hell Money Warriors, and has one book published.

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