Free · August 22 & 29 · 13:00–16:00 · Kajaznuni 1, Open Platform
You are already an extraordinary story. It just needs to be told. Cinema Therapy is a two-day intensive where you create a self-portrait film up to one minute long. No filmmaking experience. Just a phone in your hands. To see yourself anew.
Cinema Therapy is a method of self-discovery through making a film. At Kinolaboratory we explore the idea that cinema can be not only an art or a profession but also a tool: through a short video a person can see themselves, their states, values, inner conflicts and changes in a new way. At this intensive participants create a self-portrait film — a short video up to one minute. The main task is to find living content, something you genuinely want to express, and give it form in an image. No filmmaking experience is needed. A phone, curiosity about yourself and a willingness to try a new way of self-expression are enough.
Disclaimer
The intensive is not psychotherapy, but it uses art-therapy methods as a tool for exploration, creativity and self-expression.
How it works
2 meetings + independent filming in between
Basics and finding your material
Director Angelina Zemlyanova introduces the basic tools: the visual language of cinema, simple dramaturgy, storyboarding, shooting on accessible devices. Psychologist Lyubov Cherkasova leads a series of art-therapy practices — through metaphors, images and body exercises you find not a «topic for a film» but living inner material. As a result you gain a foundation for a personal video, grounded in your own experience.
Independent filming
Each participant shoots their portrait film on their own. You can film on a phone. Showing your face on camera is not required — cinema lets you speak about yourself in many different ways.
Screening and feedback
We watch all the films together and create a space of attentive dialogue. The main value is the chance to see yourself through others' eyes: to hear what feelings and images your film evoked, what the viewer reads, and what surprised even you. Viewing rules: we speak only in the first person, we don't judge, we don't correct. The author first only listens.
No filmmaking experience is needed. Cinema Therapy is open to everyone curious to explore themselves through image.
A self-portrait film up to 1 minute — yours, made by you, about you.
Basic tools of visual storytelling: how to tell a story through image, light, movement and sound. The fundamentals of dramaturgy and storyboarding — usable from day one.
A clearer sense of your identity: who you are now, what matters to you, what you want to express. Not from analysis — from lived experience.
You'll hear how other people perceive you — without judgement or advice. Only living response: what they felt, what they saw, where they met you. A rare and valuable experience.
A small group. Clear rules of dialogue. Facilitators who hold the space. Here you can show something personal — and not be afraid.
Facilitators
Director, founder of Kinolaboratory
Angelina created Kinolaboratory as a space where cinema becomes a tool for self-discovery. At the intensive she leads the cinematic part: helping participants find a form for their inner content.
Psychologist, specialist in art-therapy practices
Lyubov leads the practical part of the first meeting — helping participants find not an «idea for a film» but living material from their own experience. Through metaphor, movement and images participants arrive at what they truly need to express.
The next intensive is on August 22 & 29, 13:00–16:00, Kajaznuni 1, Open Platform. Leave a request — we'll get in touch and answer your questions.