Heart Hug

Nika Zhukova [b.1998] is an animation film director & visual artist originally from Russia, but raised in the Dominican Republic from a young age. In 2023 she graduated BA in Animation from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design of Jerusalem, where she created the films “The Body”, “Us”, and her graduation film “Обіруч (Heart Hug)” co-directed with Rimma Gefen. Nika is currently working as an animator for the feature film “Olivia Y Las Nubes” directed by Tomas Pichardo-Espaillat. “The Body” 2021, 01:15, Experimental - Co-directed with Rimma Gefen “Us” 2022, 02:50, Dance Film - Co-directed with Eli Hofman “Обіруч (Heart Hug)” 2023, 08:47, Drama - Co-directed with Rimma Gefen

Rimma Gefen [b.1995] was born in a multicultural family in Zaporogie, Ukraine into a Ukrainian Jewish family. Since 2015 based in Israel. In 2019, Rimma got accepted into the BA program in Animation at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. During her studies, she discovered a new world in experimental animation, which is the reason she chose to concentrate on Stop Motion. “The Body” , 2021, 01:15, Experimental - Co-directed with Nika Zhukova “The Lovers” , 2022, 01:09, Experimental “Обіруч (Heart Hug)” 2023, 08:47, Drama - Co-directed with Nika Zhukova

A story of the bond between an elderly woman and her faithful dog Max. Both the lady and her four-legged friend bear the heavy toll of war in their country.

This film screens as part of the programZlín Dog - Student Animations 1.