Synopsis: When Selika flees the comfort and safety of her home in rural France, she sets out for Paris to forge her own independent path in the world.

“The Adventures of Selika” is based on an image of Selika Lazevski, about whom little is known. The image was by Felix Nadar, renowned 19th century French photographer of celebrated people (authors, scientists, painters . . .). Curious and puzzling, I was struck by the strength and pride that exude from this image of a beautiful black woman elegantly dressed in a riding habit, believed to be an equestrian of haut dressage in 19th century France. Her gaze confronts us. Without antagonism or apology, she simply states, I am here. The film reimagines the crucial events that would lead her along this path.

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Sybil made her first short film Honey and Sting (starring Antonio Fargas) in 2006, followed by The Chef’s Letter in 2008 and The Equestrian, 2013 (featuring James Wilby and Olympic gold medallist Carl Hester). Together, these award-winning films have played at numerous festivals world-wide. The Chef’s Letter is distributed by Peccadillo Pictures within the BOYS ON FILM: CRUEL BRITANNIA series, and The Equestrian is self-distributed through
Mair & Mair. Before starting to make films, Sybil worked as a freelance translator specializing in the social sciences, having studied French and German language and literature.

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