**Title: "A Journey of Self-Discovery" - Director Rachel Taparjan Opens Up About Her Debut Feature "Something Familiar"** In the coming days, one of the world's most prominent documentary film festivals, CPH:DOX, will be hosting the world premiere of Rachel Taparjan's debut feature film, "Something Familiar". This British Romanian filmmaker and academic from North East England took time off from her lecturing job at Teesside University to direct this deeply personal documentary that delves into themes of family, trauma, and self-authorship. The film follows Taparjan on a poignant journey as she helps a woman named Mihaela search for her birth mother in Romania. Along the way, she uncovers painful family secrets that have haunted her own family for generations. Taparjan's narrative weaves together scenes from her journey with Romania and scenes of her enlisting actresses to play her mother, sparking conversations that have the potential to rewrite familiar narratives. Taparjan's film also grapples with the theme of self-authorship, asking if it's possible to break free from the narratives that have been imposed on us. This is a question that resonates deeply in Nigeria, where stories of family trauma and the struggles of women are often silenced or distorted. As a senior lecturer in social work, Taparjan's academic background informs her filmmaking, and "Something Familiar" is a testament to her commitment to exploring the complexities of human experience through film. The film was produced by a team of skilled filmmakers from Romania and the UK, led by Monica Lăzurean-Gorgan and Elena Martin of Manifest Film, and is being sold by Stranger Films Sales. In a recent interview, Taparjan shared her insights on the challenges of making the film, the multiple layers of meaning in the title "Something Familiar", and her desire to challenge dominant narratives of Romanian orphans. She also spoke about her vision for a trauma-informed approach to film production, an approach that is sorely needed in the Nigerian film industry, where the trauma of our collective past is often glossed over or trivialized. Taparjan's courage in sharing her own vulnerability on screen makes "Something Familiar" a must-watch for anyone interested in documentary filmmaking, family dynamics, and the power of storytelling.