This month the Cambridge Ukrainian Studies programme screened the silent Soviet spy thriller The Diplomatic Pouch and the comedy Love’s Berry, both by acclaimed filmmaker Oleksandr Dovzhenko (1894 – 1956). The sold-out screening at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, held as part of the Third Annual Cambridge Festival of Ukrainian Film, was accompanied by a special live piano performance by Geoff Page.

On Saturday, Cambridge Ukrainian Studies premiered Jerks: Arabesques, a collection of short films by a dozen up-and-coming filmmakers, including Volodymyr Tykhyi, Vira Iakovenko and Ivan Timshyn. Cambridge partnered with the Dovzhenko Film Studio and the Ukrainian Film Club of Columbia University in organising the event. 

‘In many ways, contemporary Ukrainian filmmakers are ambassadors of Ukraine to the world and deserve our attention and support. Despite many financial and institutional challenges, young and talented Ukrainian artists continue to produce excellent work', explained Dr Rory Finnin, Director of the Cambridge Ukrainian Studies programme. 

‘In many ways, contemporary Ukrainian filmmakers are ambassadors of Ukraine to the world and deserve our attention and support.'

Dr Rory Finnin

The Annual Cambridge Festival of Ukrainian Film is a central pillar in a cluster of public events held by the Cambridge Ukrainian Studies programme. ‘Film has a special ability to reach people from various social and cultural backgrounds', said Dr Finnin. 'We've organised our Annual Festival as a way to branch out and introduce the Ukrainian Studies programme to the wider British community’.

News of the festival was carried widely in the Ukrainian media, from Radio ERA to UNIAN and The Day.