– Steven Kastrissios has completed this ambitious fantasy flick shot across Albania and billed as the country’s first film in the genre
Skybreaker by Steven Kastrissios
Writer-director Steven Kastrissios has completed production on Skybreaker, an ambitious fantasy feature shot across Albania and billed by its producers as the country’s first film in the genre. Drawing on local mythologies, witchcraft and regional legends, the film follows Vlora, a young woman who sets out on a cosmic journey through modern-day Albania in order to rescue her lover from a ruthless witch.
The project marks Australian-based Kastrissios’s second feature shot in Albania, following the Albanian-language thriller Bloodlands. “I had a great experience on Bloodlands, which was a small, experimental film, but after experiencing how open people were to collaborating, I planned to return for another production and to bring a maximalist approach this time,” says the director. “So, instead of flying in and out with just a short window to shoot, this time, I ended up living in Albania for two years to see the project reach its full potential.”
For Skybreaker, Kastrissios reunited with Albanian producer Tan Kazazi, who previously worked with him on Bloodlands as a co-producer. The film is structured as a co-production between Kastrissios’s Kastle Films and Kazazi’s Black Box Films. “Steven’s approach resonates deeply with mine – we focus on possibilities, not limitations, and on finding solutions through innovation and persistence,” says Kazazi. “The industry often leans towards pessimism, but we have chosen a different path to create Albania’s first fantasy film.”
Kastrissios adds: “I needed someone adventurous enough to take on this unconventional production, and Kazazi was up for the challenge.”
Shot in a wide range of locations across Albania, the film also aims to showcase a new generation of local talent. The cast is led by Xhulia Musagalliu as Vlora. “I knew she was our lead within five minutes of meeting her,” says Kastrissios. “She’s ferocious and able to play anything you throw at her, from drama, comedy and tragedy to romance.”
The cast also includes Ina Gjonci as Emina, the film’s antagonist; Igli Zarka as Tori, Vlora’s lover; and Romir Zalla as Ilir, an outcast warlock who becomes a mentor figure. “The Balkans are known for colourful characters, and our cast didn’t disappoint. It’s all on screen for an international audience to enjoy,” says the director.
The movie’s extended post-production period was shaped by the scale of its visual effects, with close to 1,000 VFX shots produced for the final cut. “We need the film to compete with the touchstones of the genre, so we pushed ourselves to the limit to create a stunning visual odyssey,” says Kastrissios.
Skybreaker is now being readied for a festival launch later in 2026.
