European Orgs Could Step Up Ukrainian Biz Support as Filmmakers and Supporters Point to Funding Gaps
variety.comNick Holdsworth European film agencies, festivals and organizations could do more to support Ukrainian filmmakers, the head of Germany’s state film promotion body, German Films, says.
Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films — which supports the promotion of national filmmakers at festivals and events worldwide — says there is a lot of talk at festival panels and industry gatherings of supporting Ukrainians, but little financial backing. “Festivals, especially the Berlinale, are trying to help by giving the Ukrainians a discount on the European Film Market booth, but there are not many other organisations that are helping them pay their way,” Baumann says. “It could be better.
In Cannes last year, it was the Estonians and German Films that supported the Ukrainian pavilion. Poland has also been helping — many Ukrainian (and Belarusian) filmmaker have got asylum there, and they are trying to help with projects too.” One example of good practice, she says, was the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Producers, which had €1.3 million ($1.4 million) available in 2023 for projects where the Ukrainians had a co-producer in one of the 16 EU countries where the national film funds are supporting the project.
The scheme offers support for “cinematic works by a Ukrainian director at the development of finalization stage” but is capped at €25,000 for documentaries, and €50,000 for fiction or animation. “It is not big money, and covers all kinds of projects at all stages of development.
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