I tell stories about radical transformations, and self discovery from unlikely sources.
Anika Benkov is a filmmaker based in NYC who writes about the kinks in life and in ourselves, and growing pains at all ages. Most recently, their award-winning student short, ‘The Binding of Itzik,’ a queer, Hasidic, BDSM rom-com, received an SFFilm-Rainin Grant to be developed into a feature film. Anika is also an NYSAF Filmmaker’s Workshop alumnus, Sloan Screenwriting Award recipient and Grand Jury Honorable Mention, JFI Film Fund Completion Grant Recipient, Bluecat Screenwriting Quarterfinalist, and they recently completed a residency at Blue Mountain Center.
“It has been an honor to support this exciting group of talented voices whose stories cover an impressive range of genre, artistic innovation, bold approaches and rich, personal stories. The diversity of voices represented in these works exemplifies the power of cinema as a universal language that has the potential to evoke thought provoking conversations and change. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the filmmakers who have shared their stories with us and are thrilled to support this year’s recipients at this exciting stage of their careers.” SFFilm-Rainin Press Release
The Binding of Itzik is an official Vimeo Staff Pick
“While the four honored scripts deal with a broad range of settings, genres, and scientific and technological themes…They are quintessentially human stories about how nature shapes us and how science and technology seek to reshape nature.” — Doron Weber Variety
‘When It Thaws’ has been awarded a Screenwriting Grant from the Sloan Foundation and recieved an Honorable Mention from the Sloan Student Grand Jury Prize. I appreciate the support of the script’s mentors at all stages, Christina Lazaridi, Ioana Uricaru, and David Klass.
“this film is about a courageous act of self discovery”- AG Magazine Picks for NOFF
“…treads into uncharted territory…” - The Forward
“...obliterates all categorizing...." - The Bay Area Reporter
“★★★★★” - MetroWeekly