THE TROJAN COW

Barbara Stepansky of the American Film institute is a two time Angelus Winner.  In 2006 she won the  $10,000 Excellence in Filmmaking Award for her film, The Trojan Cow.  The film was inspired by true events and takes places in 1973 when two teenagers are illegally transported across the East German border inside a hollow cow. An unexpected love story blossoms in the midst of a dangerous situation.

The film screened at Windrider in Park City in January 07 and Rome and Loppiano Italy, February 2008.

Please Note: This film has mild profanity (English subtitles) and is not suitable for children under 13. Windrider rating is PG-13.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

“The Windrider Forum has been a fantastic venue for my short film – I’ve rarely had the opportunity to screen to such an respectful, curious, receptive and intelligent audience. All of us were made feel welcome and appreciated. After working so hard on your film that clearly the best reward!”

Director, Barbara Stepansky

BARBARA STEPANSKY

Barbara was born in Poland, but her father’s involvement in the Solidarity movement led to the family relocating to Germany. After receiving an undergraduate degree in philosophy of science from University College London, Barbara decided to pursue her Master’s at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

During her time at USC her short BLUEBERRY PANCAKES garnered the Directors Guild of America Student Film Award in the women’s category and played at the Kodak Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Program in Cannes. In 2002 she was invited to participate in Film Independent’s Directors Lab. Barbara completed a second graduate degree in Directing at the American Film Institute, where she won the Student Emmy for Best Director for her thesis film, THE TROJAN COW. The award is significant because this is the first time it was given out on a student level. The film also won the Student Voices Jackson Hole Film Festival, the Grand Jury Prize at the USA Film Festival National Film and Video Competition and in 2007 it was on the short list for the Live Action Short Academy Nominations.

Barbara is the recipient of several scholarships, including the King Family Foundation Scholarship for Excellence in Film and Video Production, the Mary Pickford Foundation Scholarship for Excellence, the Bridges Larson Foundation Production Award, the Patrick Peyton Award for Excellence, and the Franklin J. Schaffner AFI Fellow Award. She has shadowed directing on the sets of‚ SWINGTOWN‚ E.R.‚ and HOUSE. Most recently, she completed her first feature film HURT, starring Melora Walters and William Mapother, and is preparing for her second feature, HYSTERIA, a psychological thriller.

WATCH THE FILM

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Running time 23 minutes. Download time may vary depending on connection speed.