Danijela Štajnfeld (; born 6 May 1984) is a Serbian award-winning actress and filmmaker of Jewish and Rusyn origin. She rose to fame in Serbia with the 2005 film Ivko’s Feast. Štajnfeld is a two-time recipient of the Best Actress Award.
Štajnfeld expanded her career when she later moved to the U.S. She started working as a director with her debut film Hold Me Right, a documentary that focuses on sexual assault and its impact on survivors. Hold Me Right premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival on August 18, 2020, and gained much acclaim for its sense of empowerment.
Originally, Štajnfeld did not intend to share her story, but only to give other people a platform to speak. Her story was included in the film after the rough cut was finished. Hold Me Right is a reflection of Štajnfeld’s journey of being a victim of sexual assault and the aftermath of it. In this film, she has not only highlighted her struggle but also included first-hand testimonies of other sexual assault survivors, but also the perpetrators, and the ripple effect of the tragedy enhanced by the culture of silence and indifference to the aftermath of trauma. On 22 March 2021, it was revealed that Štajnfeld accused Branislav Lečić, an actor and former Minister of Culture of Serbia, as her rapist.
Štajnfeld has also done stand-up in various comedy clubs in NYC.
Personal life Štajnfeld lives and works in New York City.
Selected filmography Television Year Title Role Notes2005Ivkova slavaMariolaTV series; 6 episodes 2007Ono naše što nekad bejašeIkica TV series; 7 episodes 2008Vratiće se rodeEmanuelaTV series; 7 episodes2008-09Ranjeni oraoDonkaTV series; 9 episodes2015Anya Karmanova: Euro SpyAnya Karmanova
Film Year Title Role Notes 2005We Are Not Angels 2ZoranaCredited as Danijela Stajfeld Ivko's FeastMariola2007The Age of VirginityTanjaShort film2009Ranjeni oraoDonka2012Beds Made & Sweaters OnJoggerShort film2013JoanJoanShort film2014Half & HalfEdenShort film2015Cash OnlyBlerta
Theater S.NoNameRoleProducer/Venue1Delusion, Masque of Mortality Elizabeth (lead)Neil Patrick Harris, LA2RickHardtKate (lead) John Donnelly, HB Ensemble, NYC3The PossessedLisa (lead) F.M. Dostoevsky, National Theatre of Serbia4Angels In AmericaAngel (supporting) Tony Kushner, Belgrade Drama Theater5AmadeusConstanze (lead) Peter Shaffer, Belgrade Drama Theater6TartuffeMarianne (supporting) Yugoslav Drama Theater7Frederik or Boulevard of crimeBerenice (lead)E. E. Schmitt, Belgrade Drama Theater8Little MermaidLittle Mermaid (lead) Ludmila Razumovskaya, Bosko Buha Theater9Moon in flameMilena Barilli (lead) Sanja Domazet, Belgrade Drama Theater10Daily commandCatherine (lead) Vladimir Djurdjevic, Belgrade Drama Theater 11Half-PriceSania (lead) Stevan Koprivica, Belgrade Drama Theater12MilkNatasa (supporting) Vasilis KatsIkonouris, Belgrade Drama Theater 13Instant Sexual EducationDacha (lead) Dj. Milosavljevic, Bosko Buha Theater14DisharmonijaLena (lead) Sanja Domazet, Belgrade Drama Theater15Love, etc.Eli (lead) adapted by Julian Barnes, Belgrade Drama Theater
Awards Best actress of Belgrade Drama Theater for the role of Lena in “Disharmonija” Best actress at Serbian National Drama Festival “Joakim Vujic”, for the role of Milena Pavlovic Barili in “Mesec u Plamenu”
References