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ESFUF launches its first 2026 call
During the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Films (ESFUF) officially launched its first 2026 call for projects, at the Ukrainian Cinema of Tomorrow event held on May 16. This is the first of two ESFUF calls planned for the year.
Applications are open until Friday, June 26, with results to be announced in autumn.
The call is open to feature-length works in fiction, documentary and animation. Projects must be co-produced between Ukrainian production companies and companies established in ESFUF-contributing countries and be submitted before the start of the film shooting. Fiction and animation projects may be eligible for support of up to € 200 000, while documentaries may receive up to € 90 000.
The launch was announced by Gaëtan Bruel, President of the CNC in Cannes. It was followed by an address from Natalia Movshovych, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Culture for European Integration. The Deputy Minister warmly thanked all the European partners for their continued support and presented a new call for projects dedicated to the cultural and creative industries, launched by the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture in early April 2026
The event was also the occasion to present five projects that received ESFUF production support
Kai directed by Oleg Sentsov and presented by its Ukrainian producer Denis Ivanov (Arthouse Trafic)
Magic Mountain: directed by Mykola Zasieiev and presented by its Ukrainian producer Natalia Libet (2brave Production)
Noah directed by Marysia Nikitiuk and presented by its Ukrainian producer Igor Savychenko (Directory films)
Times News Roman: directed by Philip Sotnychenko and presented by its Ukrainian producer Sashko Chubko (Contemporary Ukrainian Cinema)
The Ferryman: directed by Pavlo Dorohoi and presented by its Ukrainian producer Olha Symonenko (Eidos Production)
The call is open until Friday, June 26th, the closing date for applications.
Background
Introduced in 2023 as a development and finalisation aid initiative, the fund evolved into a production support program in 2024. Renewed for a third consecutive year in 2026, it is now endowed with a budget of €1.6 M, thanks to the contributors ‘renewed commitment. The initiative currently brings together 18 European partners, alongside EFAD, the European Film Agencies Association.
Over more than four years, the Fund has played a vital role in maintaining the continuity of Ukrainian film creation despite the ongoing war, while deepening cooperation between Ukraine and its European partners. To date, 70 grants have been awarded across development, production, and finalisation of Ukrainian works.
ESFUF in festivals
Thanks to the 70 grants awarded by the fund, many projects are already completed and have begun their festival journey. 18 ESFUF-supported films have already premiered in festivals accross Europe and beyond, as shown in the video below.