Mi(s)sing Dog is a short fiction film shot between 2016 and 2017, premiering in 2018 as my graduation film from FAMU — the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. The project was supported by the Macedonian Film Agency and FAMU, and produced as a Macedonian–Czech co-production.

The main character, Rudolf, is portrayed by the renowned Czech actor Jan Kačer, alongside Marie Durnová. One of the central roles in the film is played by a dog — an experience that proved both challenging and deeply rewarding. Working with an animal on set required patience and trust, but I have always been drawn to difficult and demanding processes that push me beyond my comfort zone.

The story follows Rudolf, a retired linguist left alone in the world, struggling to communicate with others and obsessively correcting their grammatical mistakes. Isolated and frustrated, he moves through life disconnected from those around him — until a lost dog begins to follow him everywhere. I see the dog almost as a quiet, angelic presence, a gentle force that enters his life to guide him out of loneliness.

Through the dog, Rudolf meets Vera, its owner, and an unexpected bond begins to grow. Gradually, his walls soften, and the world opens up again. The dog becomes both a companion and a subtle, fantastical element — a bridge between solitude and connection.

This film remains very close to my heart. It was a formative experience that taught me invaluable lessons about filmmaking and collaboration, and allowed me to work with an inspiring cast and crew.

Mi(s)sing Dog has been screened at more than a dozen film festivals worldwide, including the Sapporo Short Film Festival and Market (Japan), SOHO International Film Festival (New York), Manaki Brothers International Cinematographers’ Film Festival (Bitola), Fastnet Film Festival (Ireland), Skopje Film Festival, and many others.