Sofiia Kutova
Animation MA
Royal College of Art
Specialisms: Animation / Film & Animation / Illustration
Location: London, United Kingdom
Sofiia Kutova
First Name: Sofiia
Last Name: Kutova
Specialisms: Animation / Film & Animation / Illustration
Sectors:
My Location: London, United Kingdom
University / College: Royal College of Art
Course / Program Title: Animation MA
About
Sofiia is an animator, screenwriter, illustrator and visual storyteller whose creative compass points North. Currently based in the UK, she crafts emotionally resonant 2D animation that blends cinematic beauty with sincerity, visual poetry and narrative depth. Her practice is grounded in a deep respect for history, myth, and human experience. She creates layered, immersive worlds where ancient legends meet the present, where characters heal through empathy, and where light is found even in silence. Her stories often centre tenderness, memory, and the quiet power of kindness — as resistance, as remembrance, as truth. She writes her own scripts, creates original characters, and carefully designs each element — from costume and ornament to light and sound — with historical and emotional authenticity. Her practice combines rigorous research with personal vision, working primarily in frame-by-frame 2D animation, but also spanning illustration and written narrative. Sofiia believes that storytelling is not just a form of expression, but an act of cultural preservation and healing. She aims to create not just films, but spaces where the human spirit can breathe — quietly, fully, and without shame.
Imbas Forosnai is a hand-drawn 2D animated short set in 8th-century Scotland. The story follows Senan, a war-weary missionary burdened by guilt and the echoes of war. His black-and-white worldview begins to unravel after he is saved by a mysterious pagan god. They meet again when the god appears in human form as a druid named Eòghan — and a quiet companionship forms between them. As they travel together, Senán begins to question not only his past but also the nature of faith, love, and goodness. Through ancient landscapes and mythic echoes, Imbas Forosnai explores self-acceptance, cultural identity, and how love — in its gentlest form — can illuminate even the darkest grief. Inspired by Gaelic tradition, early Scottish history, and heritage, the film blends emotional storytelling with atmospheric visuals and original Gaelic dialogue. It is ultimately a story about healing — not through force, but through empathy, gentleness, and shared humanity.
Competitions
