“I really love that it was like the ordinary people and their experience of what the war is doing and all these different places at sort of different stages. I just thought they really captured this thing that you don’t see. It’s not what’s playing on the news about Ukraine.” – 2/24/24 Buffalo, NY.
“Films like this take you right into the lives of the humans that are involved, so you can see the pain and the horror. And yet, what we see most importantly is that they’re exactly like we are.” – 6/22, Niagara Falls, NY
Spark Filmmakers Collaborative is a United States-registered 501c3 charity. Your tax-deductible donation can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ukrainian filmmakers and the global reach of their powerful stories. By contributing to our initiative, you will help us compensate participating filmmakers and fund the ongoing work of event production, promotion and building a collection of Ukrainian short films for future programming worldwide.
“Full circle is what Ukrainians want for their country: to go through challenges and come out on the other side better and stronger. Safe and free. And have the pre-war topics return to the surface again, becoming the most critical agenda like as in times of peace.” Anastasia Kirii, Program Curator
Believe in Ukraine Short Film Program: A 52-minute, 10-film experience by contemporary Ukrainian filmmakers providing a comprehensive narrative for a deeper understanding of the personal impacts of the war in Ukraine, often overlooked by mass media.
The program begins as filmmakers share their self-recorded reflections on how February 24th, 2022, has impacted their lives.
The 53-minute short film program starts with pre-war stories depicting day-to-day Ukrainian life, transitions into the harsh realities of war from various perspectives, and concludes with themes of rebirth.
To schedule a screening in your community or request more information, please email info[at] sparkfilmmakers.org to schedule a call with program director Lukia Costello.
Participating Filmmakers
Alexandra Dzhiganskaya, Alina Pansenko, Julia Shashkova, Babylon ’13, Mariia Felenko. Kateryna Krokha. Anastasia Kirii.
Maksym Lukashov, Babylon ’13. Viktoriia Turetska. Orest Smilianets. Anna Dudko. Babylon ’13
Curated by Ukrainian filmmaker Anastasiia Kirii, the Believe in Ukraine short film program features short films by self-identifying Ukrainian filmmakers to bring more understanding and appreciation of Ukraine and the Ukrainian experience to the world.
This first collection of Ukrainian short films was created in January 2024 to present the lived experience of Ukrainian people as they entered the third year of full-scale war by Russia.
Intimate and artistic storytelling is crucial for understanding world events, serving as a counterpoint to non-native news coverage that is often devoid authentic voices – the very narratives vital to maintaining connection and fostering support.
It’s is our goal to create a growing collection of short films to and new curated programs by Ukrainian filmmakers screening events throughout 2024 and far into the future.
This inaugural has screened in Lisbon (Portugal), Tarifa (Spain), Buffalo (NY), Grand Rapids (MI), Portland (OR), Nashville (TN), Chicago (IL) and Niagara Falls (NY) with new presentations in the works across the United States in August.
Submissions are currently closed but will reopen soon. Follow this program on FilmFreeway or Instagram for notifications.
The films included in the Believe in Ukraine film program – a circular short film experience, have been provided for use without compensation. This program has been produced without financial support in collaboration with the Klych.org Believe in Ukraine initiative. A small stipend has been supplied for curation. Learn more about the Believe in Ukraine campaign and Klych at https://klych.org/believe-in-ukraine.