Kristi Roosmaa Shares Universal Immigrant Story With WILDFLOWER

By: May. 10, 2018
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Kristi Roosmaa Shares Universal Immigrant Story With WILDFLOWER

Actress and Producer Kristi Roosmaa shares a universal story starring as a young immigrant pursuing her dreams in the new heartfelt short film, WILDFLOWER.

The film will have a Special Preview Screening presented by New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) as part of their 2018 Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories Screening Series - Women Actors Turn Filmmakers held on May 17th at the Museum of Moving Images in Queens, NY.

Inspired by real-life events, WILDFLOWER follows Anna (Roosmaa), a young immigrant pursuing her dream of making it as a professional singer in New York. Her life takes a turn as she struggles with a heartbreaking choice after hearing difficult news from back home.

Roosmaa is thrilled at the opportunity to share this story at the NYWIFT event and beyond, adding "I wanted to tell this story to remind everyone that it doesn't matter where you are from, what you do or who you are. We're all human beings, going through life with its up's and down's and there are things that are common to all of us. It's a film about love and loss, showcasing what culturally unite us all."

Roosmaa led the all-female creative team as both star and producer, and turned to Tony nominated producer and rising director Celine Rosenthal to direct the project. To help tell the story, Roosmaa brought in Artemis Women In Action Film Festival Screenplay winner Susan Cameron to write the script; and rising multi-cultural director of photography Charlotte Dupre to lens. In addition, Roosmaa recruited proven indie creative Natalie Schwan to co-produce.

WILDFLOWER is truly an Estonian-American production with three cast members, including Roosmaa, all with Estonian origins. It also delivers a strong Estonian theme that embraces the culture, which is celebrating its 100th year anniversary this year. As a producer, Roosmaa was also looking to raise the bar in the entertainment industry, "I wanted to draw attention to the perceptions that are created about immigrants. It's been great to see the progress and strides our industry has started taking by recognizing more diverse set of actors but it's unfortunate how we, immigrants, get labeled. My talents can take me further than just playing another Russian KGB agent, prostitute or sex trafficking victim. I'd like to start a conversation about embracing people with different cultural backgrounds and look forward to the day I will play a genuinely nice, educated and thriving woman!"

Although she currently resides in New York, Roosmaa is proud to be an Estonian-born actress and singer who got her start at age 5 performing at a bakery. She holds a law degree from Tartu University Institute of Law, a diploma in performing arts from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and a dance certificate from the Broadway Dance Center. She has performed at numerous venues as a soloist, including the world renowned Carnegie Hall.

Roosmaa developed WILDFLOWER as a love letter to her late grandma and as a reminder to human kind of how precious life is.

NYWIFT 2018 Women Filmmakers
Immigrant Stories Screening Series - Women Actors Turn Filmmakers
Date/Time: Thursday, May 17, 2018 - 7:00PM
Venue: The Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106)
Tickets: FREE
Info/RSVP: www.nywift.org/article.aspx?id=7069

For more about KRISTI ROOSMAA visit: www.KristiRoosmaa.com
For more about WILDFLOWER visit: www.wildflower.film



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