Chairman’s address on occasion of Ukrainian Cinema Day
08 September 2018, 09:00
Fellow compatriots!
I sincerely congratulate you on the Day of Ukrainian Cinema.
We have witnessed a true revival of Ukrainian cinema. With an active state support for film production, this year there have already appeared twelve Ukrainian films, including "Myth", "Bobot", "Diary of Symon Petliura", and 11 more films are planned to be released by the end of this year.
I am convinced that Ukraine’s State Budget for 2019 shall provide for a significant state support to film production in Ukraine. Next year, it is slated to release at least 35 new films.
The development of national cinema is of great importance for the formation and strengthening of Ukrainian identity and at the same time is a devastating blow to Kremlin’s propaganda. Certainly, our domestic cinematograph will continue to be a priority of state policy.
For several years Ukrainian films have been winning awards at prestigious international festivals. And what is most important, our movies have won love of the audience not only in Ukraine but also in the world, as evidenced by a record in the history of Ukrainian film box office.
However, on the Day of Ukrainian Cinema please remember firmly that a prisoner of the Russian invaders, a famous Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov sees today the 118th day of his unparalleled hunger strike.
Like all Ukrainians, I really wish Oleh were immediately freed and were able to celebrate this wonderful holiday in Ukraine next year, at home, continuing to create contemporary Ukrainian cinema. I believe in this! Freedom to Oleh Sentsov!
To everybody who is involved in the Ukrainian film production, I wish inspiration, creative power, interesting ideas, and yet more and more exciting new Ukrainian films.
Happy Ukrainian Cinema Day!
Glory to Ukraine!