Goodbye Bilo

A teenage boy helps his little brother say goodbye to their childhood friend, Bilo the Balloon.

  • Nicole Yanakiev
    Director
  • Nicole Yanakiev
    Writer
  • Nicole Yanakiev
    Producer
  • Tajhmir Gough
    1st Assistant Director
  • Leilani Curran
    2nd Assistant Director
  • Michael Ogunlade
    Key Cast
    "Luca"
  • Maxwell Winslow
    Key Cast
    "Benji"
  • Amaya Fuentes
    Director of Photography
  • Elia Crianza
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Zane Farmer
    Key Grip
  • Lucas Hasenfus
    Best Boy Grip
  • Nathan Arnette
    Lead Audio Technician
  • Selah Pennington
    Assistant Audio Technician
  • Ava Jones
    Propmaster
  • Leilani Curran
    Hair, Makeup, Costumes
  • Nivedita Hasmukh
    Script Supervisor
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
    University
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Narrative, Drama, Children, emotional, heart-felt, inspirational
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 10, 2021
  • 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:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Virginia Commonwealth University
  • UPike Media & Arts Festival
    Pikeville, KY
    United States
    April 30, 2022
    World Premiere
    Young Filmmaker Award Finalist
  • West Virginia Moutaineer Short Film Festival
    Morgantown, West Virginia
    United States
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Nicole Yanakiev

Nico Yanakiev is a Richmond, Virginia based filmmaker. She is a full-time Cinema and Business student at Virginia Commonwealth University, who strives to elevate films that spotlight traditionally underrepresented stories. Her Bulgarian background, paired with her Central Maryland upbringing, instilled in her the passion for sharing diverse, human stories. Last year, Nico made her directorial debut with her short film, “Goodbye Bilo.” She plans to use her creative talents in writing, directing, and producing to not only create her own projects, but also leverage her talents to support her peers moving forward.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Goodbye Bilo" presents one of the toughest lessons of childhood: loss. A teenage boy, Luca, has to guide his younger brother, Benji, through his first encounter with grief. Luca, being the protective older brother that he is, strives to preserve Benji's innocence throughout.

I drew most of my inspiration for this short from my own personal life and what I wish I had said to me during my childhood. Thus, "Goodbye Bilo," in a way, healed my inner child. Luca and Benji's relationship seeks to comment on the magical innocence of childhood when met with the harsh realities of adolescence, ultimately culminating in an older brother protecting his younger brother.