Just A Little Longer

"Just a Little Longer" tells the poignant and intricate story of Shani, a career-focused Ukrainian woman, and Diego, a devoted Uruguayan single father. Their lives, seemingly worlds apart as they reside on opposite coasts of the United States, take an unexpected turn when they meet at a work conference. This encounter, initially just a chance meeting, sparks an undeniable connection between them, one that neither of them anticipated nor could easily dismiss. As they return to their separate lives, the initial spark transforms into a budding relationship, one that is carefully nurtured through a series of heartfelt text messages and late-night phone calls that span over the course of six months. This digital intimacy allows them to share their dreams, fears, and everyday experiences, creating a bond that feels both profound and fragile. However, the narrative takes a surprising and painful turn when Diego, grappling with his own emotional readiness and the complexities of his life as a single father, makes the difficult decision to withdraw from the relationship.

This sudden withdrawal leaves Shani ghosted and emotionally adrift, grappling with feelings of confusion and loss. The film poignantly highlights the universal challenge of the fragility of human connections, illustrating how the timing of our lives can profoundly affect matters of the heart, often leading to moments of joy intertwined with heartache.

Daniela Mileykovsky is a talented director and cinematographer whose diverse portfolio spans narrative films, television shows, commercials, and documentaries. With a keen eye for visual storytelling, she has made significant contributions to various projects, collaborating with esteemed networks such as National Geographic, Discovery, Netflix, and more. Her expertise as an ICG 600 camera operator has allowed her to bring a unique perspective to her work. Moreover, Daniela has had the privilege of serving as a cinematographer for renowned directors, including Yvette Nicole Brown and Vivica Fox, on a series for BET network, showcasing her versatility and commitment to her craft.

As a first-generation American born to refugee parents from Uzbekistan, Daniela Mileykovsky encountered the challenge of expressing herself verbally, navigating the complexities of English as her second language. Despite this hurdle, she possesses a rich inner world filled with intense emotions that she yearns to communicate. Her childhood passion for 2D art, which began with drawing and painting, naturally evolved into a fascination with motion pictures. This transformation was catalyzed at the age of twelve when she experienced a profound emotional response to Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem For A Dream." This film ignited a deep interest in the transformative power of storytelling through film, leading Daniela to dedicate herself to her life's mission: creating narratives that resonate with powerful visual themes and emotional depth.

In her late teens, Daniela discovered the art of improvisational jazz, which further enriched her understanding of non-verbal communication. The rhythms and spontaneity of jazz inspired her to explore new dimensions of expression, integrating these artistic influences into her cinematic perspective. Her aim is to capture the essence of each individual and their unique story through a cinematic analogy, weaving together visual artistry and emotional truth. Engaging in extensive visual and emotional research has become a key element in her pre-production process, allowing her to delve deeper into the characters and narratives she seeks to portray.

Daniela finds that the balance between meticulous planning and the unpredictability of the world around her is one of the most exhilarating aspects of the creative process. Whether she is working on documentaries, commercials, narrative film projects, or any other form of filmmaking, this balance fuels her passion and drives her artistic vision forward.