Savremena filmska industrija nije nimalo jednostavno mesto. Prema analizi industrijskih podataka za 2025. godinu, više od 70 odsto projekata otkazano je zbog finansijskih problema. Ako se sa takvim izazovima suočavaju i velike kompanije, šta tek možemo očekivati od nezavisne filmske scene?
Odgovor je, zapravo, prilično obećavajući.
Dok je nezavisni film Obsession tokom 2026. privukao sve veću pažnju američke publike i beležio uspeh na bioskopskim blagajnama, sve više nezavisnih autora okreće se samostalnom finansiranju svojih projekata, zaobilazeći tradicionalni model holivudske distribucije.
Čini se da je taj trend počeo da menja i sam Hollywood. Kompanije sada pokušavaju da se prilagode novom načinu funkcionisanja tržišta. Tako je AMC nedavno pokrenuo Leawood Films, novu distributersku kompaniju fokusiranu na filmove koji su u potpunosti finansirani ili već završeni.
Jedno je sigurno, Hollywood se menja.
Yana Rai: Umetnost, moć i strast
Yana Rai pokrenula je svoju produkcijsku kuću 999 Production 2024. godine i od tada je već uspela da realizuje i finansira čak tri dugometražna filma, koji su predstavljeni na filmskom marketu u Kanu.
Uz njih, iza sebe ima i četiri kratka filma koji su joj doneli priznanja na festivalima, uključujući i zvaničnu selekciju na International Hollywood Short Film Festivalu.
„Svi su me pitali da li je film dobio zeleno svetlo. Jeste – ja sam mu ga dala!“ kaže kroz smeh.
U čemu je onda tajna?
Yana svoj pristup objašnjava jednostavno: filmovi treba da izazovu emociju. Najbolji filmovi ne nastaju tako što slepo prate poslovne standarde industrije, već tako što kod publike bude radoznalost i ostavljaju je sa pitanjima.
Ako je film dobar, smatra Rai, poslovni deo će se vremenom sam rešiti.
Sa takvim pristupom uspela je da izgradi poslovnu strukturu čiji je glavni cilj da publici pruži što čistije filmsko iskustvo, a da pritom projekti ostanu finansijski održivi.
Filmovi nastali od ljudi, kroz ljude i za ljude.
„Kinematografija nije ono što svet jeste. Ona je ono što bi svet mogao da bude.“
Bez potrebe za odobrenjem velikih kompanija, Rai ima slobodu da govori o temama za koje veruje da su važne publici. Jedna od njih posebno joj je bliska: šta danas zapravo znači biti snažna žena?
„Nekada su govorili da iza svakog velikog muškarca stoji velika žena. Mislim da su žene dovoljno dugo stajale iza nekoga. Ponekad morate da istupite, uzmete prostor i same ispričate svoju priču.“
Aktuelni katalog projekata kompanije 999 Production za Netflix obuhvata različite žanrove i svetove – od savremene mitološke interpretacije priče o Lilith do futurističkog trilera koji je u potpunosti snimljen na jahti dugoj 42 metra.
Film Blue Escape trebalo bi da stigne u bioskope 2027. godine.
„Ne volim kada me ljudi nazivaju poslovnom ženom. Ja sam umetnica. Za mene ovo nije posao, ovo je strast“, kaže Yana Rai uz osmeh.
English here:
Art, Power, and Passion: Yana Rai’s Independent Takeover of the Big Screen
Modern day filmmaking – is a difficult field. As a report of 2025ʼs industry analytics shows more than 70% of projects were cancelled due to financial issues. And if such is troubling major companies – what is it to expect form the indie world?
Well, the thing is rather promising. While the indie-sacred . «Obsession» 2026 busts the US’ box office more and more independent filmmakers turn towards a self-raised fundings for their films, ignoring Hollywood major distribution. Resulting in Hollywood trying to adapt as for AMC has recently launched Leawood Films, a new distribution company focused on fully financed or already completed films. It is safe to say – Hollywood is changing.
The film industry is re-imagined… by a woman
Yana Rai has launched her 999 Production in 2024 and since then has already accomplished and funded up to 3 feature films, presented at Cannes Film Festival Market. Accompanied by 4 breakthrough shorts – scoring awards at the festivals such as an Official Selection at the International Hollywood Short Film Festival.
“Everyone had been asking if the film is greenlit – yes, I greenlited it!” – She laughs.
So what is the magic behind it?
Yana presents it easily – films are meant to be emotional. Best films are not talking within the business standards of the industry, but make the audience wonder. If the film is good – business will settle.
With an approach like that she managed to create the business structure designed solely to deliver the most cinematographically pure experience without the lack of financial benefitiality. With movies made of the people, from the people and for the people to enjoy.
“Cinema is not about what the world is, it is about what the world could be!”
Not needing approval from major companies sheʼs able to express what is important for the audience. Along most of her prime topics she mostly evaluate an important thesis – who is a strong woman in a modern day?
“They used to say that behind every great man there is a great woman. I think women have spent enough time standing behind someone else. Sometimes you have to step forward, tell the story yourself!”
Although 999ʼs current slate for Netflix includes variety of genres and setting – from the modern mythological adaptation of the story of Lilith to futuristic thriller shot entirely aboard a 42-meters long yacht. The “Blue Escape” is expected to hit theaters in 2027.
“I donʼt like when people call me a business woman. I am an artist. Itʼs not a business for me, Itʼs passion.” She said, smiling.
Photos: Oksana Shevchuk
