#FIRSTLOOK: PRODUCTION BEGINS ON “MAYA & SAMAR”

Serendipity Point Films and January Media, along with their Greek partner Filmiki Productions, announce that principal photography on MAYA & SAMAR has begun in Athens, Greece. Directed by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Anita Doron (THE BREADWINNER, THE LESSER BLESSED) and written by Tamara Faith Berger (LIE WITH ME, STEAL AWAY), the film stars Nicolette Pearse (MAYBE IT’S YOU) and Amanda Babaei Vieira, winner of Germany’s prestigious Ulrich Wildgruber Prize, in its titular roles.

MAYA & SAMAR is produced by Serendipity’s Robert Lantos (SUNSHINE, BARNEY’S VERSION, EASTERN PROMISES, CRIMES OF THE FUTURE), and January’s Julia Rosenberg (CHARLOTTE, LIE WITH ME, NATASHA). Laura Lanktree (CRIMES OF THE FUTURE), Steve Solomos (THE SHROUDS, SEVEN VEILS) and Filmiki’s Nikolas Alavanos (WHEN WE WERE SISTERS, THE LAST TAXI DRIVER) are Co-producers. Distant Horizon’s Anant Singh (MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, YESTERDAY, SARAFINA!) is an Executive Producer. VVS’s Harry Grivakis, Ernie Grivakis, Javi Hernandez, and Claire Peace-McConnell are Co-Executive Producers.

Maya, a rising journalist at a hip indie website, covers sex and music with free-flowing thought and liberal practice. Samar, a queer Afghan who landed in Greece following a harrowing escape from the Taliban, lives without papers in Athens, dancing in a club for cash. After a fateful meeting on the outskirts of Athens, their worlds collide in a brief yet torrid affair that exposes their conflicting cultures. With Samar, Maya crafts her latest headline; with Maya, Samar crafts an unexpected twist, exposing the raw truth behind privilege.

“In the timeless city of Athens, bearing witness to real and imagined dramas for Millenia, I feel weight and wonder in telling the story of privilege undone by resilience… Of raw, authentic humanity,” says Anita Doron. “I’m lucky to be creating with the luminous, deeply talented Nicolette Pearse and Amanda Babaei Vieira and such an engaged and charismatic, soulful cast and crew.”

“Tamara Faith Berger’s unique, erotically saturated tableaux of love and cultural conflict mirrors our dangerous times. As directed by Anita Doron’s exalted vision, this film will electrify audiences,” adds Robert Lantos.

“Anita Doron will direct the f**k out of Tamara Faith Berger’s meticulously sculpted screenplay, and she is supported by brilliant actors and craftspeople to bring this stealth torpedo of a film to audiences everywhere,” says Julia Rosenberg.

“It’s inspiring to be back in Greece with incredible partners and a world class crew, telling this timely story about love, sex and survival, brilliantly crafted by Tamara Faith Berger,” says Laura Lanktree.

“We’ve pressed ‘record’ on Maya & Samar. With its majority of locations in downtown Athens, this is one of Filmiki’s biggest shows for 2025,” Nikolas Alavanos shares. “Working with Serendipity and January has been an incredible journey, and we at Filmiki hope to show our co-producers a new way of making cinema in Greece.”

Joining Doron are Director of Photography Christina Moumouri (THE RIVER), Production Designer Konstantinos Skourletis (MILKY WAY), and Costume Designer Marli Aliferi (MONDAY). Katie AUSTRA Stelmanis (SWAN SONG) is the film’s Composer with Mikaela Bodin (LAST COUNTY) as Editor.

The film shoots in Athens, Greece, and Toronto, Canada, with production set to wrap in October 2024.

VVS will release MAYA & SAMAR in Canada; Distant Horizon will handle International Sales.

MAYA & SAMAR is a Serendipity Point Films, January Media, and Filmiki Productions co-production. The Canada-Hellenic Republic co-production is produced in association with Telefilm Canada, Greek Film Centre, Distant Horizon, Bell Media, CBC, Ontario Creates, and the Harold Greenberg Fund, with the support of EKOME.

About Serendipity Point Films:

Serendipity Point Films is focused on theatrical feature films and prestige television. Among its films Sunshine, Being Julia, Eastern Promises, and Barney’s Version were nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globes. Stardom, Ararat, Where The Truth Lies, Adoration, Crimes of the Future have been in the Official Cannes Selection. Barney’s Version and Remember both received prizes at the Venice Film Festival, eXistenZ and Museo won Silver Bears in Berlin. Serendipity is currently in post-production on Rise of the Raven, an epic 10-hour series. For more information, please visit www.serendipitypoint.com

About January Films:

After working for two decades as a film executive on international award-winning films, Julia Rosenberg launched January Films where she has since produced scripted features and theatrical documentaries. At TIFF 2021, Julia premiered “Charlotte”, an animated feature film for adults based on the life and work of painter Charlotte Salomon, starring Keira Knightley, which was released worldwide in April 2022. January Films currently has three scripted features in production: “Out Standing”, starring Nina Kiri, directed by Mélanie Charbonneau; “Maya & Samar”, written by Tamara Faith Berger, directed by Anita Doron; and “Birth of a Family”, co-written and directed by Tasha Hubbard.

About Filmiki Productions:

Filmiki was established in 1987. For almost 35 years, it has been one of the most respected companies in the film industry, while involved both in local and international projects. FILMIKI has produced over 2,500 TVCs, 30 feature & short films, TV series & shows and numerous music videos. The company is guided by a young team of producers, directors and storytellers who are unflinching in their commitment to innovation and creation. Combining the experience of its founders with the expertise of young professionals, FILMIKI is dedicated to creating a rich and diverse range of international content: TV shows, commercial and promotional videos, feature films, creative and web-based documentaries and documentary series.

About VVS:

VVS Films is a leading motion picture production and distribution company with over 40 years of operation in Canada. In October 2023, VVS announced their expansion into Australia and New Zealand. VVS is best known for their success in launching major franchises in the Canadian market, including “Talk To Me”, “Has Fallen” and “Hitman’s Bodyguard”. Recent notable releases include “The Beekeeper”, “Hit Man”, “Thelma”, and “Maxxine”. VVS Flms recently financed and served as executive producer for Xavier Dolan’s French language mini-series “La Nuit Où Laurier Gaudrealt S’est Réveillé”. They also served as executive producers on Christian Sparkes’ “The King Tide” which had its world premiere at TIFF 2023.

Upcoming releases for Canada include Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”, Anna Kendrick’s “Woman Of The Hour”, and Robert Zemeckis’ “Here”. Upcoming releases for Canada, Australia, and New Zealand include Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine”.

About Distant Horizon:

Distant Horizon is an independent production, distribution, and financing company. Its award-winning productions include the Academy Award® “Nominees Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” and “Yesterday.” Recent productions include “The First Grader,” “Remember,” “Shepherds and Butchers”, “Clara”, “Through Black Spruce”, “The Song of Names” and “Ahimsa – Gandhi: The Power of The Powerless”.