Conversations with a Whale: An Animated Love Letter to Artists Facing Rejection

Russian-American filmmaker Anna Samo created the autobiographical short film "Conversations with a Whale," which addresses failure, rejection, and the emotional aftermath of professional defeat. The project began in 2016 when Samo, then a recent graduate, faced a series of rejections for her first film "Samo" from curators, film experts, festival directors, and art critics. She describes the first rejection as painful, wrapped in vanity and desire for applause, but eventually transformed depression into determination. The film has already received several awards and will be presented on September 21 at the Vertigo Film Fest in Milan. It serves as an encouragement for artists struggling to find their place and recognition in the complex art system.