Vilma Zenelaj and Greta Zenelaj are Albanian-American filmmakers originally from Vlora who have built a professional career in Los Angeles, USA. They are the founders of Colored Films LLC, one of the first Albanian film production companies in Hollywood.

Vilma is a director and screenwriter, and Greta is an actress, writer, and producer. Together they have created independent films including the comedy “What Do I Do Now?” and the thriller “In the Woods,” both shown at international festivals and winning awards.

Their newest project is “Gonxhe,” an artistic feature film focused on the untold story of Mother Teresa’s childhood and upbringing — long before she became the famed missionary in India. The title “Gonxhe” refers to Mother Teresa’s given name, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu.

In interviews, the sisters explained that they were inspired to explore her early years after realizing that most existing films about her life focus almost exclusively on her later humanitarian work in Kolkata. They felt that her formative years and family influence shaped her mission and deserve a cinematic telling.

The film is being developed with a focus on authenticity, with locations like Skopje and Shkodra under consideration for shooting due to their historical character and relevance to Mother Teresa’s origins.

In a recent public discussion, Prime Minister Edi Rama praised their work as an inspiring example of how the Albanian diaspora is promoting Albanian culture and storytelling on the global stage.