UK Global Screen Fund extends support to Ukrainian filmmakers through European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Films

The UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF), financed by the UK government’s Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and administered by the BFI, has extended support to Ukrainian filmmakers through the European Solidarity Fund for Ukraine Films (ESFUF).

The ESFUF, an emergency funding programme with an overall budget of €1.2 million, brings together 18 partners from 15 different countries, together with the EFAD association and some of its members as well as cultural ministries. Co-ordinated by France’s CNC, the fund offers dedicated support for Ukrainian filmmakers to help them complete their films and develop new projects while fostering co-productions. 

The UK joins ESFUF contributing countries including France, Germany and Italy in supporting feature films intended for theatrical release, in the genres of fiction, documentary or animation. Fund beneficiaries are production companies established in the ESFUF contributing countries which have a co-production contract with a Ukrainian production company.

The UKGSF, launched in April 2021 to boost international development, production, distribution and promotional opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector, targets support across film, TV, animation and interactive narrative games. To date, the fund has supported 24 international co-productions with 25 different partnering territories, including Ukrainian Storybox – Voices of War, a Germany/UK/Ukraine co-production, written and directed by David Belton of Yard 44.