News
ESFUF at the 76th Berlinale
The 76th Berlinale marked the third anniversary of the European solidarity fund for Ukrainian films.
This unique solidarity initiative now brings together 19 contributors: 18 European national film centres or ministries of culture, all members of the EFAD association, as well as the association itself.
In the last three years, the fund has been a vital support to the Ukrainian film community, answering their urge to foster strong Ukrainian voices and talents. By supporting projects coproduced between Ukraine and a contributing country, the fund has also encouraged reciprocal knowledge and bonds between industries.
Recently, the fund’s contributors decided to pursue their commitment in support of Ukraine by renewing the ESFUF for the year 2026.
The European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Films is therefore entering its fourth consecutive year. It will thus further strengthen ties between Ukrainian professionals and those based in the 18 contributing countries.
On Sunday, February 15, during the European Film Market, the Ukrainian State Film Agency (USFA) and the Ukrainian Institute co-organised an event entitled ‘Ukraine on Screen: Film Policy, Project Presentation and Co-Production Opportunities’.
The event was introduced by Natalie Movshovych, Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine in charge of European integration. Following a speech by Andrii Osipov, Head of the USFA, Olivier Henrard, Managing Director of the CNC, addressed the audience.
Thanks to the commitment of its members, the fund has already awarded 70 grants, totalling €4.3 million, to projects of feature films co-produced between Ukraine and one of the contributing countries.
In 2023 and 2024, 21 grants for finalisation and 28 grants for development were awarded. In order to remain as close as possible to the needs of the Ukrainian industry, the fund evolved at the end of 2024 towards production grants: 21 fiction, documentary and animation projects have already benefited from this.
18 films supported by the ESFUF have already been completed and have been screened at major festivals, including the three major European festivals: Olha Zhurba’s Songs of Slow Burning Earth was in the official selection (out of competition) at Venice in 2024. Last year in Berlin, Kateryna Gornostai’s Timestamp was presented in competition: a few months later, Militantropos by Alina Gorlova, Simon Mozgovyi and Yelizaveta Smith was presented at the Directors’ Fortnight.
ESFUF being included at an event organised by the Ukrainian institutions in charge of cinema, demonstrates a shared commitment to the fund’s objectives: to nurture new talents, support the industry and foster mutual understanding.
In three years, ESFUF has helped to consolidate Ukraine’s position in the European film community: with its renewal, the links forged between professionals and institutions will be further strengthened.