Ukraine Film Festival opens for the first time in Korea

The Ukraine Film Festival ‘Cinema Aid Marathon’ opened for the first time in Korea on Nov. 15. The opening ceremony was held at Cinematheque KOFA located in Sangam-dong, Seoul, and a total of four films will be screened until Nov. 20.

The Cinema Aid Marathon is co-hosted by TRA Media, the Ukraine Embassy, and the Korean Film Archive. This Ukraine Film Festival is a touring film festival that began under the leadership of the Ukrainian Film Authority, and was held in the United States, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Turkiye, Bulgari and was the first in Korea.

The event was attended by diplomats from various countries, including Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko, the European Union (EU) delegation to Korea, ambassadors to Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and the Dominican Republic. This event was sponsored by Artist Min and Chairman Kim Won-gil Vainer, who were also present.

In a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony, CEO Choi In-sook of TRA Media, said, “I am honored to be co-hosting the Ukraine Film Festival held in Korea for the first time, with the Ukraine embassy. You will be able to provide an opportunity to send more enthusiastic support by empathizing with the indomitable will of the Ukrainian people in the films screened at this festival.” Then, Director Kim Hong-joon of the Korean Film Archive concluded his congratulatory speech, saying, “I hope that cultural exchanges through this film festival will improve relations between the two countries and contribute to peace.”

said in his opening remarks, “I hope that the films screened at this festival will provide an opportunity to understand Ukrainian culture and traditions” He continued, “Thank you to everyone who worked hard for the first Ukraine film festival ‘Cinema Aid Marathon’ to be held in Korea.”

During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Ponomarenko delivered an appreciation plaque to Min Tae-hong, who donated the abstract painting "Creation of Heaven and Earth" (Value of 60 million won), and Chairman Kim Won-gil of Vainer who sponsored the event.

Chairman Kim, who has built a shoe company with annual sales of 50 billion won, is contributing to society through steady volunteer activities, spending about 1 billion won a year on social contribution, such as serving as honorary ambassador for the National Cancer Center Development Fund.

The opening ceremony of the Ukraine Film Festival ended in great success thanks to the organizers, sponsors, diplomats from each country and 200 visitors.

There are a total of 4 films screened at this festival, including 'Toloka' which was screened on Nov. 15 of the opening ceremony, and 3 other films, 'Carol of the Bells', 'DZIDZIO Contrabass', '11 Children of Morshyn'.

The opening film 'Toloka' is a film adaptation of the poetry of Ukrainian national poet and independence activist Taras Shevchenko.

The 'Carol of the Bells' is a film about the origins of Carols of the Bells, a Ukrainian folk song that is loved around the world and is a Christmas carol that contains the spirit of brotherhood and unity. It is a story of people who did not lose hope in the midst of war and persecution and realized love for humanity.

In addition, 'DZIDZIO Contrabass', a comedy about three men who are in trouble in the process of smuggling cigarettes, and '11 Children of Morshyn', which tells the adventures of 11 brave children fighting crimes, are also rated as good representations of Ukraine.

The information of Ukraine Film Festival is on the website of the Korean Film Archive, and viewing of all movies is free.