Kristi Roosmaa is gaining praise in the festival circuit for producing and starring in her latest indie film Wildflower. An Estonian-born immigrant based in New York, Kristin holds a Law degree from Tartu University Institute of Law (Estonia), a diploma in performing arts from The American Musical Dramatic Academy (New York), and a dance certificate from the Broadway Dance Center (New York).
WILDFLOWER is a short film about a young immigrant singer who moves to the other side of the world to pursue her dream and in the end discovers what true sacrifice is.
By the age of 14, Kristi was a finalist on the most popular Estonian children’s TV singing contest Laulukarusell and was also the lead in the René Eespere musical Wild Swan. Her career path lead to many remarkable performances in New York City, including singing as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon alongside Residente featuring Bad Bunny. She has appeared in numerous off-Broadway shows and indie films as an actress, and as a singer has performed at many concert venues and collaborated with renowned orchestras and musicians.
Currently, Kristi is garnering international attention for Wildflower. The short film is inspired by real-life events and follows the story of an immigrant woman struggling between making a difficult choice and pursuing her dream of being a professional singer in New York. The film recently made its World Premiere at the 20th Annual FirstGlance Film Festival in Los Angeles and won the Audience Choice-Best Shorts Too award. Even before its premiere, the film stunned, winning Best Indie Short at Oniros Film Festival, Award of Merit at One-Reeler Short Film Competition, and Exceptional Merit at WRPN.TV Short, Tight and Loose global film festival competition.
indieactivity : How did you get into the business?
Kristi Roosmaa : I got my start at the age of five performing at a bread factory and have been hooked by the idea of entertaining ever since. I was an active performer as a child, successfully competing in singing contests, appearing on TV and starring as the leading lady in a musical. Despite those industrious artistic endeavors early on, I almost didn’t end up on this path, as I chose to pursue a degree in law. However, as fate would have it, my intense desire to pursue my dream was rekindled, as I took on several leading roles in a number of projects during the years I was studying law.
As graduation day dawned, I promised myself that I would apply to just one prestigious musical theatre school somewhere around the world. If I got in, I would take it as a sign to jump on the opportunity. One month after graduating law school, I packed my things and moved to New York City to begin my training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
Fast forward fifteen years, I am not only still here, but living the dream in The Big Apple!
indieactivity : What made you want to create your own projects?
Kristi Roosmaa : As long as I can remember, I’ve always loved to create because I find it both fulfilling and exciting. I truly believe I was put on this earth for the purpose of entertaining through the arts, so every day I get to pursue this goal, I feel fulfilled. It’s exciting, because I keep pushing myself. It’s like putting a puzzle together…it’s really not about the end picture, but when two pieces finally fit together! What counts is the journey and growing as an artist and, ultimately, as a human.
indieactivity : Briefly explain your new short film Wildflower.
Kristi Roosmaa : Wildflower is a short film about a young immigrant singer who moves to the other side of the world to pursue her dream and in the end discovers what true sacrifice is. My 44 person cast and crew contained an all-female creative team, led by the Tony-nominated producer (Leap of Faith) and rising Director Celine Rosenthal. The team also includes Artemis Women In Action Film Festival Screenplay winner writer Susan Cameron, cinematographer Charlotte Dupre, and award-winning director/producer Natalie Schwan.
indieactivity : Why did you want to produce this story?
Kristi Roosmaa : Wildflower story is derived from my story and celebrates my late grandma. I wanted to tell this story because we’re in a time where America is having active conversations about immigrants, how they are treated, and the value they provide to our country. Wildflower tells a story of universal love and reminds us that things that unite us are far greater than the things that divide us.
In addition to contributing to the national conversation on immigration, the project shines a spotlight on female contribution in the film industry with its all-female international creative team.
Of course, there’s also an element of doing something for the first time. It was never a goal to produce, but I found myself attending many webinars and coaching sessions about filmmaking. It may have been subconscious, but I woke up one day, wrote my ideas on a white board and exactly one year later we were filming on set.
indieactivity : What were the first steps you took to make it happen?
Kristi Roosmaa : I scheduled a coaching session with a seasoned filmmaker, Angela Matemotja, to guide me through this process. The overall strategy was to surround myself with filmmakers that are experienced, can make decisions quickly on their feet while sharing my vision and passion. I’m thankful for my team and could not have made Wildflower without them.
indieactivity : Anything you wish you could “do-over” on the project?
Kristi Roosmaa : Nothing! All of the surprises, challenges and victories make this film authentic and also helped me to grow as an actress/producer.
indieactivity : How do you balance both acting and producing?
Kristi Roosmaa : I find it gives perspective. My heart is in acting and I believe I can be a better actress by knowing the headaches a producer faces. So far, I’ve only taken on projects where I’m artistically involved and that balances it for me. For example, I’m currently part of two musical productions: Johanna Telander’s Kalevala, and Tony Spinosa and James BearHart’s Singing Revolution. In both instances, I’m a cast member and part of the creative team.
indieactivity : Any tips for other actors looking to create their own projects?
Kristi Roosmaa : You can really take charge of your own career. You don’t have to wait around for someone else to create it for you. I hear a lot of excuses from actors how they don’t have the career they would like because they don’t have a good headshot, reel, agent, network, experience for making a film, so on and so on. Those are not “real” reasons. If I can do it, you can do it. As my dad says “Life is short. Life is beautiful. Don’t waste it!”
indieactivity : What do you want to change about the film business?
Kristi Roosmaa : I want to draw attention to the perceptions about immigrants. It’s been great to see the progress and strides our industry has started taking by recognizing a more diverse set of actors, but its unfortunate immigrants get labeled. My talents transcend further than another Russian KGB agent, prostitute or sex trafficking victim. I’d like to start a conversation about embracing people with different cultural backgrounds and look forward to the day I will play a genuinely nice, educated and thriving woman.
indieactivity : Who is your creative idol and what do you love about their work?
Kristi Roosmaa : There are so many creative people I admire and respect, but my idols are in my life. My family and friends. It’s not about their work but who they are, which shines through in anything they do. The common element in all of them is kindness, dedication and living life wholeheartedly…which inspires me.
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