Thea Films is an award winning production company, founded by actress and filmmaker Dolya Gavanski, first in London, UK and later Varna, Bulgaria. The company produces human-focused, character driven, compelling stories. Dolya has been the driving force in delivering creative documentaries to a worldwide audience that champion female voices and challenge stereotypes.

We specialise in collaborating globally across artistic disciplines, bringing together creatives and communities from different countries, as well as fostering social and educational projects.

Women’s Day has been co-produced by Agitprop, Elemag Pictures and MDR and includes four countries of production. The film grew out of a short film trilogy, Tractor Drivers and Tiger Tamers, Politicians and Cosmonauts, created by Dolya at the Superwoman: Work Build and Don't Whine exhibition in London(Top Cultural Event/The Guardian), developed by GRAD gallery and Thea Films. The critically acclaimed GOLOS: Ukrainian Voices won the Best Documentary Prize, London Independent Film Festival and was seen at various international festivals, TV channels and cinemas.

THE TEAM

DOLYA GAVANSKI

DIRECTOR and PRODUCER

Dolya Gavanski is an award winning actor and filmmaker whose work spans stage and screen; from the the West End through to feature films, documentaries, television, radio plays, podcasts and video games. Some of the directors she has worked with include Michael Winterbottom, Angelina Jolie and Sir Trevor Nunn. She has also written drama for film and BBC Radio. Her recent acting credits include playing the lead, Stella, in the European feature film 18% Grey which she also co-wrote and her ongoing role of Zarya, the voice of the 'strongest woman in the world’, in a globally successful computer game, Overwatch.

Raised in several countries, Dolya trained in acting in Moscow and London and is a graduate of Cambridge University. She also gained a PhD in Russian theatre at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

JAMES NORTON

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

James began his career as an assistant on feature films by Derek Jarman, Terence Davies and Sally Potter before working for many years as an associate producer on BBC arts series such as Arena and Imagine and documentaries on international history for most major broadcasters.

He went on to produce and direct numerous artist profiles for the South Bank Show series, a documentary on the Russian police, films on theatre for NT Live cinema screenings and others on art and fashion for leading museums and festivals. As a writer he has interviewed and published articles on many major Russian film directors and has written extensively on the culture of the former Soviet Union.

KARINA GUGLYA

PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Karina studied English Literature and Theatre Studies, as well as MA in International Relations at Queen Mary University of London. Combining both her knowledge in politics and creativity, her career path varied from work for a political party, to managing various marketing projects at private companies. She has worked as assistant producer, post- production producer and a translator for film projects like The Heritage of Love, Nuremberg Trials, Golos: Ukrainian Voices and Women's Day.