Help Marina Turn Visa Rejection into Visa Approval!

Hello friends, family, and supporters of freedom of movement, speech and art!

My name is Eva, and I’ve started this campaign for my friend Marina Shindenkova —a talented filmmaker, artist from Russia, and truly wonderful person who needs our help to secure her German freelancer visa.

Marina’s visa application was recently denied, not because of her qualifications, but simply because she couldn’t meet the financial requirements. So I jumped in to help raise the funds needed to appeal this rejection and have a chance to get approved!

Marina and I met earlier this year when she became my flatmate in Berlin, and we quickly became close friends. When her previous Estonian residency permit couldn’t be renewed due to sanctions, she was forced to leave Europe. Now, she’s in Serbia, one of the few places she can enter visa free, as it’s not safe for her to return to Russia due to her outspoken stance against the war and her activism against Putin’s policies.

Berlin is where her friends, support network, and collaborators are, and I am launching this campaign as a birthday present to help to make her dream come true.

Visa Appeal Deadline: November 25

We’re working hard to gather the funds for the visa security deposit which is needed on a blocked bank account for the appeal of the rejection. The appeal has to be submitted by November 25. This campaign is time-sensitive, and we’ve attached the necessary documents here for transparency.

About Marina

Marina grew up in a conservative environment in Tatarstan, Russia, and originally studied law before finding her passion in photography and film. Her work delves into themes of power, femininity and freedom, using film to explore complex truths. Marina has created courageous projects like "7 Dreams to My Mother", a personal and political piece about the societal expectations placed on women in Russia, set against a backdrop of political repression.

Why Berlin?

Berlin is the place she feels she can build a stable life and pursue her art without restriction. She studied German, built connections, and has potential collaborations waiting with groups like Reforum Space Berlin, Magnum Studio Berlin, and other artists. Before Berlin, she lived in Estonia from 2020 but had to leave due to sanctions against Russians. Her creative journey has been marked by relocations, and Berlin is the place she hopes can finally be home.

How You Can Help Marina Secure Her Visa

Marina needs to show €11,840 in funds to secure her visa. Here are three ways you can support:

1. Direct Donation: Any contribution, large or small, will help Marina reach her goal.

2. Declaration of Commitment: If you’re a German citizen with sufficient income, you can provide a Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung), which legally supports Marina’s visa application. This involves signing a document at your local Foreigners’ Office, and it serves as an alternative to Marina’s direct financial proof. If interested, please reach out to us here.

3. Loan Option: If you’re able to lend a larger amount, you can enter a personal loan agreement with Marina to be repaid over a year, as visa requirements restrict her monthly access to the blocked account. This arrangement would be solely between you and Marina, providing a secure repayment plan. If this option is possible for you, please reach out to us here.

4. Share This Campaign: Every share expands Marina’s story to a wider audience and increases the chances of reaching her goal. Sharing this campaign with your friends, family, or anyone who might be able to help would mean the world to both of us.

How Funds Will Be Managed:

I’m temporarily collecting the funds in my account here in Germany and then we will put it in a blocked account.

Celebrate Marina’s Birthday with the Gift of a Fresh Start

With her birthday on November 9, this campaign is a chance to give Marina the gift of freedom, connection and stability. Any support, whether a donation, loan, or sharing this campaign, is deeply appreciated.

Thank you for being part of her journey to a new chapter in Berlin!