As we approach the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, CPH:DOX is announcing a wide programme honouring the Ukrainian fight for freedom and democracy in Europe, including a Special Eurimages Co-production Development Award at CPH:FORUM 2023 of €20,000 for an Ukrainian project presented at CPH:FORUM.
To express the support of and solidarity with the Ukrainian film industry, the Council of Europe’s Eurimages Fund has decided to award a Special Eurimages Co-production Development Award at CPH:FORUM 2023. The cash-prize of €20,000 will go to one of the Ukrainian projects in the Forum line-up as an addition to the long-standing Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000 for the best pitch, that will be awarded for the tenth year running.
Ukrainian productions and co-productions, eligible for both Eurimages awards, have a strong representation of 12% of this year’s projects line-up, across the selection of CPH:FORUM, CPH:WIP and CHANGE, our development co-production training program in collaboration with IMS and EAVE, featuring projects from the European Union’s Eastern Partnership countries.
“We see our festival as an agora that brings people together to have conversations around films, projects and the larger matters they represent and revolve around. At a time when democracy is questioned globally, the tenacious Ukrainian fight is a reminder that democracy rests on the courage to insist on equality, freedom and truth. That’s a message of hope, and a duty for all of us” says Niklas Engstrøm, Artistic Director of CPH:DOX.
Film and Democracy revisited at CPH:CONFERENCE 2023
Noting that producing actual change requires more than packed screenings, the final day of the CPH:CONFERENCE is dedicated to Film and Democracy. In this context, the programme will feature a number of Ukrainian filmmakers and initiatives, among others filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko, recently awarded for her voluntary military service on the eastern frontline, and the Ukraine War Archive project, established by the team of the documentary festival DocuDays UA, in cooperation with the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize awarded team of Centre for Civil Liberties. Read more about the Conference programme here.
Programme focus: ‘Predicting the Past, Rewriting the Future’
The 20th anniversary of CPH:DOX, themed ‘Predicting the Past, Rewriting the Future’, will reflect how crucial is the role that history plays in the major debates of our time – from post-colonialism, claims to representation and identity politics, to the resurgence of fascism, to Putin’s historical justifications for his invasion of Ukraine. In connection with the European premiere of Mstyslav Chernov’s ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ – taking place on Thursday, March 16 in one of Copenhagen’s biggest cinemas Bremen – there will be a panel debate of Red Cross’ secretary general Anders Ladekarl and regional director at International Media Support Gulnara Akhundova in a conversation about the status of the emergency aid efforts and security risks not only for journalists in Ukraine right now.
Read more about the programme focus here.
For more information:
Sune Blicher, Head of Communications of CPH:DOX, +45 3122 2661, *****@cphdox.dk