On March 15 Göteborg Film Fund is opening a call for submissions for development grants for filmmakers working within Ukraine. The support scheme is part of a bigger programme for Ukraine, which was initiated in June 2022 with residency filmmakers working in Sweden, continuing with supports for dissemination and promotion of Ukrainian films, and development grants during the autumn. The programme is supported by The Swedish Postcode Foundation, within the frame of their focus on artistic freedom, and by the Swedish Institute and their emergency support for Ukraine.

The Development grants, consisting of SEK 75 000 each, are aimed for development of scripts or projects and supports feature length fiction or documentary films, with a director tied to them, who will also be the beneficiary of the grant.

The call is open March 15 – March 31. Guidelines here.

One of the residency filmmakers spending time in Gothenburg last summer was Tonia Noyabrova. One of the results of her stay was that local Common Ground Productions and Film i Väst joined her drama Do You Love Me? as co-producers. The film premiered at this year’s Berlinale Panorama with Noaybrova, lead actress and several team members present.

“Göteborg Film Fund has now been working close to the Ukrainian film industry for two years, one of them during war and full scale invasion. The filmmakers keep struggling; writing, developing, pitching, financing, shooting, editing, postproducing, premiering. The feeling at the gala premiere of Tonia Noyabrovas film in Berlin is difficult to describe, and the importance of it happening cannot be emphasized enough. It is more important than ever to keep supporting the Ukrainian film industry and their struggle”, says Camilla Larsson, Fund Manager. 

During the Berlinale European Film Market, several directors and producers, supported by Göteborg Film Fund with development support and development grants, pitched their projects at an event hosted by Odesa International Film Festival and participated at a spotlight event on producers, hosted by the Ukrainian Institute. Among them were Vika Khomenko, Denis Ivanov, Polina Kelm, Vladlen Odudenko, Yelizaveta Smith, Tonia Noyabrova and Vladimir Yatsenko.

For any questions regarding the development grants, please check our FAQ or contact: info.fund@goteborgfilmfestival.se