What is the best thing that I love about my work?

I’m a horror screenwriter for films and video games. And yes, I genuinely love being scared. No jokes—it’s true. Every time I sit down to write a new story, it’s an opportunity for me to dive into one of my own fears, separate myself from it, and explore it from different angles through various characters and situations. This process of breaking down my fears helps me understand them better and, ultimately, fear them less. It’s like a creative form of therapy—a very useful practice, both for storytelling and for personal growth.

What is my idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is peace on Earth. I clearly remember watching Miss World as a child, where every contestant expressed their wish for world peace. At the time, I thought it was such a silly thing to say. Why wouldn’t they wish for something for themselves? Back then, I was safe, and so were my loved ones. The world felt secure, and those words seemed meaningless. But times have changed. Now, I truly understand the weight and value of those words. Peace isn’t just a distant ideal—it’s the foundation of everything we hold dear.

What is my greatest fear?

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this and exploring the idea both in my scripts and in my articles. In the end, I realized that my greatest fear is the impossibility of immortality. It terrifies me to think that everything I love, everything I hold dear—including myself—is finite.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Perfectionism. It’s both my superpower and my curse. I know a million ways to improve everything I create, but I feel like I’ll collapse if I don’t make them all happen, no matter the cost. My screenwriting palette includes a character like this—someone I often bring into my stories. Everyone assumes they’re the villain, but in reality, they’re just someone relentlessly chasing perfection.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

True horror, for me, is born in moments of self-recognition. It’s when the images and metaphors I encounter pull me into my own experiences, my personal trauma, and allow me to examine them from a distance. In this sense, I deeply admire the films of Ari Aster. His work stands out for its profound psychological depth, exploration of human fears and traumas, and unconventional narrative structures.

What is my greatest extravagance?

That’s not about me.

On what occasion would I lie?

I feel like I stopped lying a long time ago. People usually lie out of fear or a desire to appear as someone they’re not. In recent years, I haven’t felt those emotions, so
lying just doesn’t feel relevant to me anymore.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Sometimes, as a screenwriter, I feel stuck and disconnected from the creative process when I’m only working on revisions but don’t get to see how they impact the final product in the film or game.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I think it was when I joined Ice-Pick Lodge in 2020. I remember playing their game Pathologic Classic back in my school years—it completely changed my perspective on what games could be. It showed me that games could be more than just entertainment; they could be art. Years later, I became part of their team as a screenwriter and narrative designer. It was an incredible experience filled with creative freedom and experimentation. I look back on that time with so much love and fondness—it truly was something special.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I believe that to change one thing about yourself, you often have to change a lot of other things as well. It’s a big, complex process that can ultimately turn you into a different person. Thanks to therapy, I’ve already worked through and changed everything I wanted to. There are still some things left, like my intense internal reactions or emotions, but these are what make me who I am. That’s why I now focus on managing their intensity rather than trying to change them completely.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

In 2023, together with Ice-Pick Lodge, we released the experimental horror game Franz, which delves into the complexities of abuse and psychological violence. As a screenwriter and narrative designer, this game stands out as my greatest achievement so far. It allowed me to process my own experiences with abusive relationships and express them through the medium of a game. For me, it became a form of art therapy. And for many players, it offered a new perspective on themselves and their relationships, helping them recognize psychological abuse in their own lives.

Where would I most like to live?

I’d like to live somewhere where I don’t have to fear for my life, my freedom, or my love.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Anna Asty’s Queen. No need for extra words. All girls are Queens.

What is my most treasured possession?

My mental and physical health. As long as they’re in good shape, I can fully enjoy life and creativity.

What is my most marked characteristic?

It’s hard to say because these things are often more visible from the outside than from within. That said, I think it’s perseverance. I’m incredibly persistent when it comes to my interests and can achieve my goals even during tough times.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

My favorite place is the park near Charles VI Gate. It’s a quiet, secluded spot at the foot of an ancient fortress. When I’m there, it feels like time has stopped, and I lose track of which universe I’m in.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

I absolutely love breakfast. For me, it’s the most important and joyful meal of the day—a little celebration of the fact that a new day has begun and life goes on. That’s why I’m such a fan of Bloom in Belgrade. They have the most delicious and beautifully presented breakfasts in the city.

What books influenced my life and how?

Iain Banks’ The Wasp Factory. It taught me that anger is born from the inability to accept yourself. There are no bad people, only hurt and traumatized ones.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Anna Asty’s Queen. No need for extra words. All girls are Queens.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

The main character from Spirited Away. A small, brave, and stubborn child who hasn’t yet learned what fear is—or worse, what social norms are. She represents a part of all of us, the part capable of great feats if only we can reconnect with it.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My parents. They are people who have endured emigration, identity crises, and even crises of faith. What amazes me the most is that, even in their later years, they continue to maintain critical thinking, self-reflect, and let go of outdated or harmful beliefs that hold them back. It’s an incredible combination of inner strength and
honesty with oneself.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker. I think people today lack the opportunity to pause and turn inward—to truly examine themselves, reflect on their desires, and understand their true goals. Stalker creates that pause, offering a profound meditation that allows you to observe yourself through the film’s frames.

What role play stories in my life and work?

For me, storytelling is a way to understand reality and myself. I’ve been creating stories since childhood. Whenever I faced emotions my young mind couldn’t comprehend, I expressed them through stories. As I grew older, I studied screenwriting. This helped me tackle a new challenge—processing a reality I couldn’t fully grasp by reflecting it in my stories, allowing me to accept it. Later, I spent years in psychotherapy. And psychotherapy, in many ways, is also about storytelling. You revisit the stories of your life to reframe how you see them—and, in doing so, transform yourself.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

Who holds the power—the story over the writer, or the writer over the story? Does the writer create the story, or does the story emerge on its own, demanding to be told, pulling the writer into its grasp? You are the storyteller of your own life means, for me, that I’ve found the answer to this question.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

I’ve had so many amazing collaborations with incredibly talented people that it’s hard to single out just one. But if I were to talk about the one person who has always been with me, who inspires and supports me and my creativity—it’s my wife. She understands and feels my stories better than anyone else. During my darkest times, she was my guiding light. I’m deeply grateful to her and feel so lucky to have someone like her in my life

Which people or companies would I like to work with ?

I would love to work with horror directors like Nicolas Pesce, Pascal Laugier, Andrew Semans, and David Bruckner. Watching their films, I get the impression that these are creators unafraid to stare into the abyss, crafting truly profound andpsychological stories. In the gaming industry, I’d be thrilled to collaborate with Bloober Team, particularly their Senior Narrative Designer, Barbara Kciuk. Her approach to storytelling and narrative design deeply resonates with me, especially her work on themes of empathy, intimacy, and its loss within horror games. I’m also drawn to the work of the game studio LKA and their art director and visionary, Luca Dalco. Their games are pure magical realism , a captivating blend of artistry and storytelling that I’d love to be part of.

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I’m currently working on a feature-length screenplay, a deep psychological thriller titled Therapy. Imagine combining the familial tragedy and existential horror of Hereditary with the intensity and unexpected twists of Gone Girl, layered with its social and gender themes. That’s Therapy. Right now, I’m focused on completing the script and, eventually, finding the right team to bring this vision to life.

Where can you see me or my work?

You can learn more about me and my work on my personal website: https://anna-pimen.com/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Youth isn’t defined by age. It’s defined by one’s attitude toward life and the desire to explore it. That’s what this phrase means to me.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?

I’m currently collaborating with an exceptional artist and art director, Pavel Pavlyukov, on his game Frustrain. Pavel is a fascinating and deeply thoughtful creator. We connected through our shared interest in reflecting on and interpreting our collective past. Pavel has a unique perspective on creativity and storytelling, and he could share so many insightful thoughts about his journey and his artistic vision.

How can you contact me?
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pimonova.anna
Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-pimonova-40b686304/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/anna_pimen/profilecard/?igsh=mw9rYnVmb2JazZlYQ

My personal website – https://anna-pimen.com/
Mail – annapimen12@gmail.com