Electing Ms Santa
As Moldova edges closer to the European Union, one woman in a remote village chases her own political ambitions.
42-year-old Elena has big dreams. The beating heart of her remote Moldovan village, she organises community clean-ups, supports lonely elders, and each year dons a Santa Claus costume to bring joy to her neighbours. But beneath the suit, Elena is driven by ambition and a desire to shake things up. Her dream? To become mayor.
Filmed over seven years in an observational, handheld style that draws us directly into her world, the documentary follows Elena as she searches for her place in life. Facing pressure from her family and resistance from her community, she defies the prescribed roles of mother, daughter, wife, and tradition itself in pursuit of her own happiness and purpose.
Both intimate and universal, “Electing Miss Santa” is a moving exploration of identity,
ambition, and self-discovery. A powerful debut feature by director Raisa Răzmeriță, it is a testament to patient storytelling, and an inspiration to anyone who has ever dared to dream.
Mike Arnott
Raisa Răzmeriță is a journalist and a filmmaker from Moldova. Having worked in the media and in the non-governmental sector on children’s rights, she discovered that documentary filmmaking enables her to connect deeply with her subjects. She sees storytelling as a way to reveal essential truths. She is a graduate of BDC Discoveries (Balkan Documentary Centre) and a Malik Bendjelloul fellow. She is completing her Master’s degree at the State University of Moldova in Philosophy and Cultural Management. Alongside directing with HaiDOC Productions, she collaborates with several Moldovan NGOs on projects addressing social issues such as child abuse, women in politics, and disability inclusion.
Filmography:
Electing Ms Santa (2025, doc)