My name is Maria Shtofa, and I am an actress from Ukraine. In 2022, I graduated from The National University for Theater and Cinema Acting in Kyiv and worked for two years at a national theater in Ukraine. I also participated in various acting training and masterclasses. In 2019, I starred in my first feature film, "Rhino," directed by Oleg Sentsov, which won several awards and was later acquired by Netflix. I have also appeared in several short films, which have been showcased at international festivals. In 2021, I landed a leading role in the feature film "Myrnyi 21," directed by Ahtem Seitablaev. Despite the challenges caused by the war in my home country, I have continued to work on projects in Germany, Croatia, and other countries. I have visited Los Angeles, Vienna, and Berlin for masterclasses, and have also been working on a theater-dance project inspired by Argentinean folk dances. I am trained in contemporary, modern, folk and ballet dances, and have a background in rhythmic gymnastics and painting. I speak Ukrainian, English, and Russian fluently and am currently learning German and Croatian.