The second annual Ukrainian Film Festival will take place in Los Angeles on October 17–18, held this year under the theme "Frames of Freedom." Over the course of two days, American audiences will be shown seven Ukrainian feature films and documentaries—as well as films dedicated to Ukraine—ranging from the historical epic Dovbush and the sci-fi film You Are Space to documentaries about Ukrainian military medics, musicians, artists, and polar explorers. Screenings will be complemented by meetings and discussions with directors and producers.
This was reported by the festival organizers: Branch 111 of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA), the Ukrainian Art Center, and the Ukrainian Culture Center.
The second Ukrainian film festival will be held at the historic Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles. Organizers chose the theme "Frames of Freedom" to showcase—through cinema—not only Ukraine's struggle for freedom but also the personal stories of courage, love, and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
"A wonderful weekend program awaits you, featuring excellent Ukrainian films covering a wide range of topics, along with Q&A sessions and discussions," the organizers note.
The program opens on October 17 with the historical action film Dovbush, directed by Oles Sanin. The movie tells the story of Oleksa Dovbush—the legendary leader of the *opryshky* (highland outlaws)—who rises up to defend freedom and his native land. Today, this story resonates with modern audiences more than ever.
Next up is the screening of Anton Ptushkin’s documentary Antarctica. Viewers will witness a journey aboard the Ukrainian vessel Noosfera across the Drake Passage to the Akademik Vernadsky Antarctic Station, as well as the lives of Ukrainian polar explorers in one of the planet's most remote locations.
The evening program of the first day will conclude with Pavlo Ostrikov’s You Are Space. The protagonist, a space-faring long-haul trucker named Andrii, believes himself to be the last human in the universe following a global catastrophe on Earth. The situation shifts when he establishes contact with a French woman named Catherine and decides—despite the vast distance and his damaged ship—to fly to her. You Are Space is hailed as a unique project in Ukrainian cinema, featuring complex set designs and technical solutions aimed at immersing the audience in the experience of deep space.
The festival’s second day, October 18, will open with the documentary Home: A Place of Strength. This will be followed by the documentary Cuba & Alaska by Yehor Troianovskyi, which tells the story of two Ukrainian military medics who volunteered to defend their country. The camera follows the protagonists as they move between the front lines and rare moments of respite, revealing not only the dangers and losses they face but also the friendship, love, and enduring desire to live after the war.
“Cuba & Alaska” is more than just a war film; it is a story of resilience, human connection, and the determination to live against all odds,” the festival organizers note.
Another documentary feature will be “Flowers Amidst the Darkness” by director Iryna Pravylo. The events unfold at the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion. The film’s subjects include artists Nataliia and Serhii, as well as priest Andrii Halavin, who supports the community following the occupation and shares accounts of the locals' experiences with international delegations.
A separate short film screening will feature the documentary operetta “KOBZARKA” by director Gladden Rangel. The story centers on young Ukrainian singer Inna Ishchenko, who travels to the front lines and turns to a traditional Ukrainian instrument to uplift the troops with her music.
What began as the director’s personal trip to Ukraine in 2023 evolved into a documentary that blends studio recordings with live musical performances.
The festival will conclude with “Soldiers of Song” by director Ryan Smith—a documentary about Ukrainian musicians and the role of music during the war. Featured artists include Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, Andrii Khlyvniuk, and Svitlana Tarabarova. The film intertwines their stories, showcasing music’s unique power to heal and unite.
The organizers emphasize that the festival is conceived as more than just a series of film screenings. Q&A sessions with directors and producers are scheduled after select screenings, alongside discussions that will allow American audiences to learn more about Ukraine and the people creating contemporary Ukrainian cinema.
All films will be screened with English subtitles. Tickets cost $50 for a single day or $100 for the entire festival weekend; student tickets are $35 and $55, respectively.
Photo: film posters
Author: Inna Mikhno