Masha Petrenko

Emcee

Masha Petrenko (also known as Maria Petrenko) is a local filmmaker and an actress. She is also a linguist with an M. A. in Linguistics from the University of Minnesota, and a Minnesota Court Certified Interpreter. Masha travels around the country working with cultural and business groups of Russian professionals, interpreting for them at conferences and seminars.

Masha enjoys taking part in local films as an actress. Ashes to Ashes by High-Def Chefs, the film where she played a supporting role, won the Best Acting award at the National Film Challenge Competition in 2006. Two local feature films with Masha's participation are in post-production: Holiday Beach by Steve Larson of Northern Skies, and In Clamatore by Wesley Tank of Vehement Behemoth.

Masha is a member of the local WIFT chapter (Women in Film and Television). Recently, she started a video production company Percolate Films. Her latest short fiction film, Windows and Walls that she wrote, directed and produced, is used for intercultural communications training sessions throughout Twin Cities. It was included in the 2008 Minneapolis/ St. Paul International Film Festival. It screened at the St. Anthony Main Theater, April 27th of 2008 as part of the "International Shorts" program. Windows and Walls was short listed for a prize in the short film category in the Babelgum Online Film Festival! It was also screened in France, in the Short Film Corner at Cannes in May of 2008.