Mariia Pechenizka-Tkachova is a high-school student from Kharkiv, Ukraine, with three years of experience in filmmaking, including the directing and writing of her own short films. She has received recognition in both Ukrainian and international film festivals. Her 2020 film Not Toys was nominated in several film festivals such as the 10th international film festival “Cinema and You” in 2021 and “MeetDocs” 4th Kharkiv International Film Festival in 2020. Her film Head was an award winner in the “DYTIATKO” 12th International Children’s Media Festival in 2020. Mariia is also a member of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and aspires to become a professional filmmaker. In addition to film, her passion for languages has led her to undertake translating poetry between Ukrainian, French and Polish.