Biography Nika:

Nika Zhukova was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1998. When she was two years old, her family moved to the Dominican Republic and from then on, started her adaptation process to the Dominican culture. Nika grew up connected to a country that wasn’t her native one, she often questioned where she belong and what place she identified with. All of these uncertainties about her true nature led her to study Fine Arts in Chavon, The School of Design, where she got involved in experimental and conceptual processes about her origin and identity. In 2019, Nika moved to Israel with the purpose to continue her studies and connect to her Jewish roots. She is currently studying BA in Animation at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. Nika has decided to concentrate on the program of Stop Motion to continue submerging in experimental animation.

Biography Rimma:

Rimma Gefen, an animation director, was born in 1995 in Zaporogie, Ukraine, into a vibrant multicultural family. Growing up amidst a diverse blend of Jewish, Ukrainian, Georgian, and Russian cultures, Rimma developed a deep appreciation for the various elements of history and art.
In 2011, driven by a desire to become an illustrator, Rimma embarked on her educational journey in Graphic Design at The Polytechnic, affiliated with the Zaporiogie National Technical University.
In 2015, Rimma made the decision to relocate to Israel.
In 2019, Rimma was accepted into the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, where she pursued a Bachelor's degree in Animation. It was during her time at Bezalel that Rimma delved into the world of experimental animation and chose to specialize in Stop Motion. During second year of studies, Rimma embarked on an exciting collaborative journey with Nika Zhukova, resulting in an animated short film "The Body."
In August of 2023, Rimma successfully completed her studies at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and released "Обіруч" (Heart Hug) graduation film on Ukraine's war.