Ivan Smolyar, known as Johnny Cosmic, laughing in a foil crown during the surprise exhibition organised for him in Warsaw
A Documentary Film · In Development

The Johnny
Cosmic Effect

A fractal documentary about collective gratitude and a karmic lottery - the story of a man who spent a decade making everyone visible, and what happens when, one day, they make him visible too.

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A Story

Meet Johnny Cosmic - a photographer from Belarus, based in Warsaw.

For 8 years he has been photographing people and giving them the prints. At concerts, parties, protests, on the street - he shoots, prints, and hands them back whenever he runs into someone again (sometimes months or even years later). Around 10,000 photos total, all free, now living in flats and on fridges in countries he has never even been to.

And then this year, a few hundred people secretly organised a surprise exhibition of his photos for his birthday. He showed up blindfolded and was handed a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon of his own first solo show. It was wow.

He didn’t see that one coming. He just felt happy and a little less pointless.

It’s a good story about generosity, community, and what it means to be seen. And it deserves to be heard and seen as well. That’s why a documentary is being made about all of this - and it needs support to be finished.

If you’ve ever had one of his photos, or if this story means something to you, this is a good moment to be part of it.

The Effect

What we’re calling the Johnny Cosmic Effect

A phenomenon in which one person’s quiet, unconditional generosity slowly builds a community around them - a community that, one day, returns the gift in full.

We’re filming this story from the very beginning, to make a full documentary feature and to watch - together with the world - how Ivan’s life, and the lives around him, will change.

Questions the Film Follows

What more is the Johnny Cosmic Effect capable of?

How will it shape Ivan himself - and all of us around him?

Is this a uniquely Belarusian phenomenon, or a universal human story?

What will Ivan do with the new “capital” he won in this karmic lottery?

How far can a single small act of generosity travel before it returns?

We’ll be looking for the answers for a full year - until Ivan’s next birthday.

Why This Matters

This film isn’t only about Johnny.

It’s about all of us - about how, in a time of loss, forced emigration, and inner isolation, we are still capable of being present, of supporting one another, of truly seeing each other.

And about how even the smallest act of generosity can come back - unexpectedly, powerfully, and right on time.

Where We Are Now

Two months of active development

Goal - €7,500

The development stage will produce a 30-minute re-edited work-in-progress that meets industry standards. During this time we will:

  • - Assemble pitch documents for funds and festivals.
  • - Continue filming and editing new chapters of Ivan’s - and our - story.
  • - Seek support from institutions and foundations.
  • - Present the project on international industry platforms.

Stretch - +€7,500

If we double the goal, the project moves faster and lands more confidently on the international market. We’ll prepare:

  • - A communication and promotion plan.
  • - A festival-ready trailer.
  • - A complete pitch package for international funds and institutions.
  • - Participation in international industry pitching events.
Director

Maksim Shved

Behind the film stands a team of professionals with deep experience in documentary cinema, working alongside director Maksim Shved.

Maksim is a Belarusian documentarian and the author of Pure Art, which premiered at the Kraków Film Festival, won Best Director at ArtDocFest (2019), and was recognised at numerous international film festivals.

Since 2022 he has continued his work in exile, remaining a part of the Belarusian and European documentary community. In 2023, he became one of the first members of BIFA - the Belarusian Independent Film Academy.

Support the Film

The exhibition happened because hundreds of people gathered around good news. The film will reach the screen the same way.

Crowdfunding runs until June 12, 2026 on Gronka. Every contribution moves us closer to a finished work-in-progress - and to the festival, fund, and audience conversations that follow.

€1,191 raised of €7,500 · 16%

Deadline · June 12, 2026

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