Big in Gazi Baba

Runtime: 90'

Expected release: January 2027

Production stage: Production

Budget: $534,299 (10% in place)

1st feature: Yes

Looking for: Festivals, sales agents, distributors, buyers, gap financing, strategic guidance, broadcasters

Synopsis:

Sadije (14) is a wrestling champion from Skopje’s Albanian-Muslim district Gazi Baba. Expected to be her family’s breadwinner as a modern “sworn virgin”, she wrestles under the Macedonian flag, yet doesn’t speak the language. Wrestling offers escape but also relentless pressure: cutting weight, training under male coaches, and navigating a world where her victories are sidelined by ethnic politics. Sadije must decide whether wrestling is her freedom or just another role shaped by others’ expectations.

Director’s Profile:

Pauline Blanchet is an award-winning film director and producer whose work explores themes of sports, nationalism, and identity. Her short documentary Zuckerberg You Owe/Own Me has been screened internationally, and she has participated in renowned programs such as CPH:DOX, Sheffield Doc Fest, and the Sundance Co//ab Documentary Course. Her current project, Big in Gazi Baba, has garnered multiple awards, including the Cannes Docs Marché du Film Award, Al Jazeera Balkans Co-Production Award, and EURODOC award. Pauline’s archive-based film What You Remember, now in development, received a Special Mention from Sandbox Films at AFO 2024. She is known for her innovative use of experimental and collaborative filmmaking, incorporating archival research and cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven reconstructions to explore history and collective memory.

Producer’s Profile:

Avdi Thachi is a film producer and editor from North Macedonia who crafts human-centered narratives through his company, Lumiere Films. With a foundation in editing, Thachi expanded into production, bringing comprehensive understanding to each project. His talents span numerous productions, including the short documentary Antigona and Farmer’s Blues, where he served as producer. He was also co-producer on the feature film Everybody Calls Redjo. In 2025, he is taking part in Eurodoc, further strengthening his focus on creative documentary. Working as both producer and editor allows him to shape stories from technical and creative perspectives. Deeply vested in filmmaking, Thachi develops compelling international projects that showcase diverse voices. Through Lumiere Films, he remains committed to authentic storytelling that resonates with global audiences.

Kreshnik Jonuzi is an Albanian/American filmmaker who is based in New York City. He began his filmmaking career at NFL Films, working on numerous sports documentaries that aired on HBO & ESPN. He has directed and produced three feature documentaries that screened at festivals worldwide, including Thessaloniki, Warsaw, Dokufest, Nordisk Panorama, and Reykjavik Film Festival. Recently, he was featured in DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40, which spotlights young creatives who are making an impact on the field of documentary.

Aymeric Isnard is a passionate producer specializing in the development of audiovisual fiction and documentary projects at Futur Antérieur Production. He stands out for his bold and innovative approach to creating narrative content, always seeking to explore unique and contemporary stories. In 2024, Aymeric participated in the prestigious “Less is More” program at Groupe Ouest as a Development Angel, further strengthening his expertise in supporting projects at the writing and development stages. With a solid background in the field, he is dedicated to supporting emerging writers and directors, focusing on original and impactful stories that bridge the gap between auteur cinema and mainstream fiction. Before joining production companies, he worked in law firms dedicated to cinema (111 avocats and FTPA). He graduated with a master’s degree in Intellectual Property law from King’s College London.