Storytelling and filmmaking are like a drug to me, capable of moving people and inspiring them to change. When you want to motivate a group of people to take action, make a movie. That’s why I fell in love with filmmaking.

 

As an Albanian, I never imagined I would land in the world of film. My background is in business, where I excelled in marketing and management because I could see the big picture and charge toward it like a bull. Combining my skills in business, marketing, storytelling, acting and kung fu, I realised I had the tools to become a force in the film industry. That’s why I created My Hero as my first project. it’s powerful, emotional, profound, action-packed, and deeply personal.

 

This story is my knock on the door, a declaration of my arrival and the beginning of my path to creating emotionally moving, impactful projects.

 

A Personal Connection

 

My Hero is a deeply personal story for me because, in many ways, it reflects my own journey. It’s about being quiet, letting the world push you around, and having people take advantage of your kindness until one day, you decide you’ve had enough. You realise you’re worth it. You decide to fight for yourself, to stand tall, and to become the hero of your own life.

 

For me, this realisation was transformative. I wanted to be a role model, to empower those around me, and to create opportunities for those in need. But the only way to do that was to first become my own hero and fight for who I am and what I believe in.

 

At its core, My Hero is a love story between me and myself. The feature film we’ve written builds on this short film, aiming to inspire the audience to do the same: stand up, take control, and remember that you are worth it.

 

The World of My Hero

 

The story is set in a gritty, grimy world dominated by social media trends and self-centred people. It’s a dog-eat-dog reality where depression, loneliness, and financial struggles consume lives. It’s a world riddled with drugs, crime, and powerful organisations exploiting the chaos for their gain.

 

This bleak setting mirrors the current state of the world, reflecting the rise in riots, wars, global pandemics, and the increasing number of people feeling hopeless and in need of change. Amid this darkness, however, is a glimmer of hope, a reminder that even in the toughest times, we can stand up, fight back, and build a better future.

 

My Hero is a call to action. It’s a plea for resilience and the courage to fight for what matters.

 

Bringing the Vision to Life

 

Creating My Hero required a large, dedicated team. We flew in Mark Stars, a fight director from Belgium and a professional martial artist, to help us craft thrilling action sequences that honoured the legacy of classic kung fu films. Drawing inspiration from those films, he used the environment to enhance the fight scenes, making them dynamic and visceral.

 

We worked closely with the stunt team and Ronin Traynor, ensuring the action felt authentic. Every punch, kick, and movement was meticulously choreographed to resonate with the audience. Beyond the action, I collaborated heavily with the director and writer to ensure the story’s emotional weight came through.

 

As storytellers, we have the power to shape emotions, and we spent countless hours discussing the audience’s emotional journey through the short film. Our goal was to leave viewers inspired, motivated, and ready to be the heroes of their own lives when they left the cinema.

 

The Challenge

 

The most challenging part of creating My Hero was condensing such a powerful story into a short film. Every second had to count, every scene had to serve a purpose, and every moment had to leave an impact.

 

But that challenge was also our greatest strength. It pushed us to focus, to distil the message into its purest form, and to deliver a story that resonates deeply and lingers long after the credits roll.