Thea Films is an award-winning production company founded by actress and filmmaker Dolya Gavanski, first in London, UK and later in Varna, Bulgaria. The company produces human-focused, character-driven and compelling stories with a strong social perspective.
Dolya Gavanski has been the driving force behind Thea Films’ creative documentaries, delivering work to worldwide audiences that champion female voices and challenge stereotypes. The company collaborates across artistic disciplines, while also fostering social and educational projects.
Currently in production, Confessions of a Female Gamer has been filmed over several years across Finland, Bulgaria, the UK, Germany and the United States, shaping a truly global coming-of-age story. The film took part in Documentary Campus, has received pitching awards, and has garnered attention across international festivals.
Women’s Day, co-produced by Agitprop, Elemag Pictures, and MDR, has four countries of production. The film grew out of a short film trilogy—Tractor Drivers and Tiger Tamers and Politicians and Cosmonauts—created by Dolya Gavanski for the Superwoman: Work, Build and Don’t Whine exhibition in London (Top Cultural Event, The Guardian), developed by GRAD Gallery and Thea Films.
The critically acclaimed GOLOS: Ukrainian Voices won the Best Documentary Prize at the London Independent Film Festival and has been screened at numerous international festivals, television channels, cinemas, universities and cultural events. Sections of the film will also feature in the upcoming theatre production Ukraine Unbroken, directed by Nicolas Kent at Arcola Theatre, London (27 February – 27 March, 2026).
THE TEAM
DOLYA GAVANSKI
DIRECTOR and PRODUCER
Dolya Gavanski is an award winning actor and filmmaker whose work spans stage and screen; from the the West End through to feature films, documentaries, television, radio plays, podcasts and video games. Since founding Thea Films, Dolya has written, directed, produced, and narrated two feature documentaries, Women’s Day and Golos: Ukrainian Voices, while also collaborating with galleries, theatre productions, concert halls and educational institutions. As an actor, Dolya has worked with directors such as Michael Winterbottom, Angelina Jolie, Susanna White, Sir Trevor Nunn, and has performed alongside Michael Fassbender, Steve Coogan, Eleanor Bron, Mark Rylance and Dominic West. Additional producing credits include the feature film 18% Grey by Viktor Chouchkov, which she co-wrote.
Raised across several countries, she trained in piano performance and acting in Moscow and London, studied at Cambridge University and holds a PhD in theatre. She has also written drama for both film and BBC Radio.
JAMES NORTON
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
James began his career as an assistant on feature films by Derek Jarman, Terence Davies and Sally Potter before working for many years as an associate producer on BBC arts series such as Arena and Imagine and documentaries on international history for most major broadcasters.
He went on to produce and direct numerous artist profiles for the South Bank Show series, a documentary on the Russian police, films on theatre for NT Live cinema screenings and others on art and fashion for leading museums and festivals. As a writer he has interviewed and published articles on many major Russian film directors and has written extensively on the culture of the former Soviet Union.
KARINA GUGLYA
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR
Karina studied English Literature and Theatre Studies, as well as MA in International Relations at Queen Mary University of London. Combining both her knowledge in politics and creativity, her career path varied from work for a political party, to managing various marketing projects at private companies. She has worked as assistant producer, post- production producer and a translator for film projects like The Heritage of Love, Nuremberg Trials, Golos: Ukrainian Voices and Women's Day.
