"Bound" / «Переплетені» Inspired by Timeless Ukrainian Folk Song “Несе Галя воду” Selected for Bengaluru International Short Film Festival

I’m excited to announce that my animated short Bound / «Переплетені» has been officially selected for the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF), India’s premier Oscar®-qualifying event.

Inspired by the timeless Ukrainian folk song “Несе Галя воду” (Nese Halia Vodu), Bound reimagines the untold “missing verse” between romance and heartbreak. Designed in a cross-stitched animation style, the film honors Ukrainian folk embroidery while exploring universal themes of connection and loss.

Created in collaboration with my father, artist Mykola Martynenko, Bound blends cultural heritage with contemporary storytelling. I’m honored to share this deeply personal work with audiences in Bengaluru and beyond.