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, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
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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