Last night, actor and creator Rina Lipa gathered members of the filmmaking community, plus close friends and family, for an intimate screening celebrating the release of her short film Weight of Ribbons. The evening marked a significant milestone for Rina: her writing debut, and the unveiling of an intimate and personal project that signals a new chapter in her own creative career.
A semi-autobiographical character study, Weight of Ribbons sees Rina step into the role of a young ballet dancer confronting a quiet realisation: that the passion and discipline she has poured into an art form for years is not necessarily returned in kind. It’s a story about devotion, identity and the slow unravelling of a dream once held too tightly. Directed and filmed by Louis Melvyn, the short is a coming-of-age narrative told through movement, with ballet carrying the emotional weight. Layered over the choreography is the sound of Rina’s own voice, reciting an internal monologue that draws us into the dancer’s own thoughts.
After the screening, Rina sat down for a Q&A with Service95’s Pia Brynteson, where she spoke candidly about the film’s emotional roots. “For me, ballet was a tool that I used growing up and going through all the different stages we go through from teenagers to adults. I want to tell stories that reflect real life and how we change and evolve as people, so I really hope people can relate to that in some way.”
For Rina, Weight of Ribbons is symbolic not only in the story it tells, but in what it represents personally. The film marks a turning point – a moment of stepping forward as a storyteller in her own right, using film as a new medium through which to explore identity and growth. A way to showcase her ambitions within the film industry and offer a glimpse into the kinds of stories she wants to tell going forward.
To celebrate this release, we took the opportunity to get to know the cultural touchstones that make Rina tick, from the book she couldn't put down to the restaurant in Prishtine she could happily eat at forever – oh, and the artist she has on permanent repeat, no matter if she’s happy, sad or any emotion in between. We hope you enjoy our first Culture List of 2026...
