Independent cultural non-profit
We harness the power of film, original music, and visual storytelling to champion human rights, foster cultural memory, and build bridges between worlds.
Selected work
Documentary projects that keep cultural memory alive and create room for meaningful change.
An acclaimed feature documentary examining human rights, community resilience, and LGBTQ+ advocacy through the lens of Manhattan’s cultural institution Russian Samovar and its matriarch Vlada Von Shats.
Unextinguished follows the courageous journeys of individuals who risked everything to rescue and assist others during WWII, illuminating the profound power of cross-cultural humanity amidst darkness. By pairing rare survivor testimonials with powerful historical truth, the film honors those whose acts of compassion left an indelible flame that time cannot put out.
Framed around the profound truth that true justice originates in human empathy rather than written decrees, the film weaves together intimate survivor testimonials and historical remembrance to honor acts of cross-cultural compassion that stood against total destruction.
The people behind the work
A multidisciplinary team bringing artistic rigor, operational care, and lived commitment to every story.
President & Executive Director
Ellina Graypel is an award-winning New York–based filmmaker, composer, and Recording Academy member whose multi-disciplinary practice sits at the intersection of music, documentary cinema, and cross-cultural activism. Her work—including the Silver Telly Award–winning Mama Vlada and the WWII testimonial documentary Unextinguished—examines moral courage, historical truth, and the empathy that binds people across political and geographical lines.
Treasurer & Strategic Advisor
Yekaterina Dmitriyeva is a strategic advisor, business consultant, and operational leader dedicated to helping ventures scale with clarity and compliance. She brings strong fiscal governance and cross-industry experience to Graypels, empowering non-profit cultural projects and community initiatives across live performance and documentary film.
Secretary & Creative Media Director
Vitali Prostota is an accomplished film editor, motion designer, and animator. He oversees post-production, visual restoration, and media governance, and served as lead editor and animator for the award-winning feature documentary Mama Vlada. His practice blends narrative editing, motion graphics, atmospheric effects, and AI-assisted reconstruction.
A story needs witnesses
Your support helps independent films reach the audiences who need them, preserves testimony for future generations, and gives cultural initiatives the practical resources to grow. Whether you make a one-time contribution or join us monthly, you become part of a living archive of empathy and action.
We welcome foundations, donors, and cultural partners who believe that art can move public understanding forward. For partnership conversations, contact our team directly.
