About ESFUF
The European Solidarity Fund For Ukrainian films (ESFUF) is an initiative proposed by the CNC to the other EFAD members during the Cannes General Assembly in May 2022.
After having supported various actions for Ukraine → at national and European level, EFAD and its members wanted to unite forces to launch a dedicated support for Ukrainian filmmakers, to help them completing their films or developing new projects, while fostering coproductions.
Initially laucnhed for one year, the fund was renwed in 2024 and 2025 and is now in its third consecutive year. In order to remain relevant with the needs of the Ukrainian film industry, the fund has evolved towards production support following the new agreement, signed by all contributors on October 15, 2024.
Since its launch, at the 2023 Berlinale, the Fund has awarded 57 grants to projects, of which 28were in development stage, 21 in finalisation stage, and 8 at production stage.
It now brings together 19 partners→ from 18 different countries to support Ukrainian filmmakers.
Its budget has been increased to reach 1.5M€, paving the way for a strengthened support to the Ukrainian film industry this year.
How to apply
Supported projects
The partner authorities
- Belgium: Cinema and Audiovisual Centre of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (CCA)
- Croatia: Croatian Audiovisual Centre
- Denmark: Danish Film Institute
- France: Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC)
- Germany: Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM)
- Greece: Greek Film Centre
- Hungary : National Film Institute Hungary
- Ireland: Screen Ireland
- Italy: Ministry of Culture
- Latvia: National Film Centre of Latvia
- Lithuania: Lithuanian Film Centre
- Luxembourg: Film Fund Luxembourg
- Netherlands: Netherlands Film Fund
- Norway: Norwegian Film Institute
- Poland: Polish Film Institute (PFI)
- Portugal: Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA)
- Spain: Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA)
- United Kingdom: UK Global Screen Fund of the British Film Institute (BFI)
- EFAD (Europe): European Film Agency Directors association
The CNC acts as coordinator of ESFUF, managing the fund together with the Steering Committee composed of all the partner authorities.
The Jury Members
The jury members in 2025
- Simone Baumann, producer, Germany,
- Javier Estrada, film critic, Spain,
- Georges Goldenstern, artistic director, France,
- Anna Gawlita, producer, Poland,
- Anita Juka, producer, Croatia,
- Teona Mitevska, director, North Macedonia,
- Anthelme Vidaud, film studies academic, France
Alternate members
- Timon Koulmasis, director, Greece
- Nino Kirtadze, director and scriptwriter, Georgia/France
The jury members in 2024
President
- Georges Goldenstern, Artistic director (France)
Members
- Simone Baumann, Producer, Managing Director of German Films (Germany)
- Javier Estrada, Film critic, (Spain)
- Līga Gaisa, Producer (Latvia)
- Anita Juka, Producer (Croatia)
- Teona Mitevska, Director (North Macedonia)
- Anthelme Vidaud, Film studies academic (France)
Alternate members
- Zane Balčus, Film studies academic (Latvia)
- Timon Koulmasis, Director (Greece)
- Lisa Marie Russo, Producer (United Kingdom)
The jury members in 2023
President
- Marianne Slot, Producer (Denmark)
Members
- Simone Baumann, Producer, Managing Director of German Films (Germany)
- Dariusz Jabłoński, Director and producer, President of European Producers Club (Poland)
- Timon Koulmasis, Director (Greece)
- Ilmar Raag, Director (Estonia)
- Ineke Smits, Director (Netherlands)
- Audrius Stonys, Director (Lithuania)
