One fiction, one documentary and one animation project have been selected for Göteborg Film Fund’s development grant scheme for Ukrainian filmmakers working within Ukraine. All in all 116 applications were submitted from a group of experienced directors and producers as well as newer voices and talents. The three selected filmmakers were presented today at a press […]
One fiction, one documentary and one animation project have been selected for Göteborg Film Fund’s development grant scheme for Ukrainian filmmakers working within Ukraine. All in all 116 applications were submitted from a group of experienced directors and producers as well as newer voices and talents. The three selected filmmakers were presented today at a press meeting in Cannes, hosted by the Swedish Film Institute.
“It is more important than ever to keep supporting the Ukrainian film industry, since it for them becomes more and more urgent to tell their stories. I am amazed that the film community can uphold the energy and keep working towards their goals under the circumstances that they are facing”, says Camilla Larsson, Manager of Göteborg Film Fund.
The selected filmmakers and projects are: Unholy Power, by Roman Liubyi; Petrol Station, by Yuliia Hontaruk and Divia, by Dmytro Hreshko. (More info below.) The Development Grants consist of SEK 75 000 each and are part of a programme financed by the Swedish Institute and the Postcode Foundation.
Unholy Power
An animated feature with the aim to form critical thinking in the younger generation, based on the first tale from ”Unholy Power“ written by Koroliv-Staryi 100 years ago,
Director: Roman Liubyi
Producer: Bohdanna Semen
Production company: Babylon 13 UA with co-production from Benedetta Film (DE)
Petrol Station
A drama based on a true story that happened in 2015, at the beginning of the war in the east of Ukraine.
Director: Yuliia Hontaruk
Producer: Yuliia Hontaruk, Elena Saulich
Production Company: Babylon 13 UA
Divia
A documentary about the catastrophic impact of the Russian war on the ecological state of nature in Ukraine. It is a journey from the harmonious life of nature, to the fiery whirlwind of war, which burns the earth, forests and all living things.
Director: Dmytro Hreshko.
Producer: Polina Herman
Production Company: UP UA STUDIO
The selection committe consisted of Olena Yershova, producer, Tatofilm; Mira Staleva, Head of Sofia Meetings at the Sofia International Film Festival; Camilla Larsson, Manager Göteborg Film Fund.
During the summer of 2022 the directors Antonio Lukich, Tonia Noyabrova, Eva Dzhyshyashvili and Roman Khimei spent time in Göteborg working with scripts for upcoming films, as well as promotion for existing ones. As a result Lukich, Noyabrova and Dzhyshyashvili are participating at the Marché du Film and a pitching session during the Ukraine Focus on Monday.
The residencies are organized with financing from Region Västra Götaland and in cooperation with HDK-Valand at the University of Gothenburg.
At the press meeting it was announced that Victoria Zadorska has been pre-selected for one of the residencies, to work with her fiction My 19-year-old Nan, which she is in Cannes to present, together with other projects at an early stage.
“We are looking forward to receiving new Ukrainian filmmakers in Göteborg. The fact that last summer’s residencies resulted in scripts that we now can see being pitched in Cannes is of course encouraging and fantastic”, says Camilla Larsson.
“We are glad to contribute, once again, to these residencies allowing Ukrainian film makers to develop their work in a more peaceful context. Furthermore, they bring a lot of experience to the film makers in our region when international relations are more important than ever”, says Alex Bergström, president of the cultural committee of Region Västra Götaland.
The three Residencies consist of:
– Two months’ stay in Göteborg: Apartment (with room for family members if needed) and per diem (SEK 10 000/month)
– Travel costs to and from Göteborg
– Workspace at the offices of Göteborg Film Festival
– Introduction to different industry networks in the region.
The residencies takes place August-September 2023. The call is open for Ukrainian directors or screen writers of feature fiction or feature documentary projects, at any stage of production.
The call will be open from May 18 – June 8.
Read on how to apply here.
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