Artem Kolyubayev is a well-known Ukrainian film producer, and member of the European Film Academy, who actively promotes Ukrainian cinema and culture in the world. He has produced and co-written many Ukrainian films, including I Work at the Cemetery and Shchedryk. After the full-scale invasion, Artem joined the military to help the military, along with his colleagues from the Union of TV and Film Industry Entrepreneurs.
Artem, you have recently been awarded the President of Ukraine’s award for your active volunteer work. Could you tell us how you manage to combine volunteering and professional activities? And what does this award mean to you?
This award proves that I have a team that has united with the industry and volunteers to assist on all fronts of the war. We have already delivered 680 vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including more than 20 ambulances.” I work with Yuriy Gorbunov, who joined us on the first days of the invasion.
We work together and are reliable friends. Being a volunteer is a special title, a special mission. I believe that this award will be a catalyst for future changes and will lead to certain shifts. We realize that we urgently need to participate in the process and provide assistance if we can.
Cinematography is an industry where everyone knows and trusts each other, and this applies not only to the borders of the country, so our friends from abroad started to contact us. We delivered the first shipment of medicines thanks to Andriy and Olesya Isayenko. Andriy, who was filming in Portugal, sent us the first shipment of medicines.
It was in early March 2022, and we stood in line at the border for several days. We realized that this form of assistance could exist, we have contacts all over the world, and we should use them. We need to draw the world’s attention to our situation, that we are at war and need help.
Now, I think we are very active in the issue of cars. We understand that cars are always needed. We know how to find cars quickly. We have found people who help with the transportation of cars and have a lot of experience in this area. But the main thing is that we raise funds for all our charity events at our own expense. We also organized a charity event in Greece together with Yuriy Gorbunov, DZIDZIO, Ponomarev, Elvira, and Sargis. Our team of volunteers organized this event, which raised 43 thousand euros.
Yesterday we handed over the third ambulance purchased with these funds. Every time we hand over an ambulance, I make a speech saying that we want this ambulance to serve to provide quality medical care to women giving birth in Ukraine, not to evacuate the wounded.
One of our biggest victories is an ambulance for Kharkiv. With the help of our volunteer Oleksandr Omelyanov, we purchased it in Germany and equipped it with an incubator for premature babies. This ambulance cost more than one hundred thousand euros, including equipment.
We cover all this thanks to donations from our patrons and friends. We have many great examples. Sometimes even children who work or help their parents or grandparents earn their own money and donate it to our organization. There was one little boy who worked and helped his relatives. He got the idea himself and raised his own money. We gave him an honorary award for this. Some pensioners want to get involved and donate. And some are living a better life now than before the war, but believe that the war does not concern them. This is their choice. Everyone has their own decision here. But it is not always clear.
In addition to ambulances, as you said, you help with cars for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Do you provide targeted assistance? Or maybe you help specific brigades with union members, actors, or film industry workers who went to the front?
Yes, that’s exactly right. We came to this conclusion when it all started. No one understood how to provide assistance, who to help, and how to do it. There was a lot of confusion when money was simply handed over to those who had some connections. We realized that the only way out is targeted assistance when you help people you know and trust. That is why we organized our network on this principle.
Similarly, when we have fundraising events, we can reach out to a specific person or team and help them. It is very important to have targeted help. When there is money, there are always problems. Many people raise money and use it for their selfish purposes. Some speculate on the war. This is the reality we face. But we believe in good, we believe in victory. We are optimists, we know what we are doing, for whom we are doing it, and how we are doing it. This is our goal and our slogan.
Nowadays we see a lot of Ukrainian films at many international festival platforms. Which films would you single out?
I think it’s important to create films that reveal simple truths that concern everyone. For example, films about war, children, and family. If you have seen the movie Shchedryk, you may have noticed how Ukrainians, Jews, and other people suffered during the occupation of the Soviet Union. These films often evoke emotions in viewers, they make them cry, applaud, hold on to them, and discuss them.
“Mavka, for example, is garnering record box office receipts in Ukraine and abroad, which is a testament to the film’s success. People go to see this movie not because it’s a speculation or a tribute to fashion, but because they are sure that it is a quality product worth supporting. They invest their time and money to go to the movies and see them. This film, along with other Ukrainian films, makes a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian cinema and society as a whole.
However, unfortunately, we are now faced with the problem of insufficient funding for the production of Ukrainian films. Most documentaries are made, and funding for feature films is very limited. Nevertheless, the popularity of Ukrainian cinema is growing, and this is an important point to keep in mind.
We reflect a lot on the war and will continue to do so for a long time. But aren’t dramas the only way to develop or to develop different genres of cinema?
Co-production projects have appeared in Ukraine, including animated films such as Mavka. We gained experience and improved, and the number of films began to move to a higher level of quality. However, unfortunately, the war broke out. This is not because film production has lost its relevance, but because the necessary financial resources are simply not available.
All the money was redirected to military needs, and this is understandable. In addition, in 2023, the State Film Agency approved a minimum budget, taking into account existing debts. Now certain debts are being paid off, and all films are produced exclusively in the documentary genre.
I also know of films that were made during the war, including short and feature films. This happened even during the shelling and other dangers. You see, we are losing our film industry. Many women working in this field have left the country. This is understandable because our specialists were profitable in all areas. And it’s not just about supporting Ukrainians or working in the mainstream. The fact is that many outstanding professionals and our producers are already working abroad at foreign film studios. There, they actively support Ukrainian topics, work on Ukrainian projects, make documentaries, or interact with Ukraine in co-productions.
How can we help and support Ukrainian film distribution in times of war?
I visited the President on March 9, Taras Shevchenko’s birthday, and we discussed this topic. The President fully understands its importance and is already taking steps in this direction.
It is really impressive that he finds time for such initiatives. It shows that he cares about the development of all sectors of the economy and culture in Ukraine. The President understands that Ukrainian content is important. We discussed the problem that if there is a void in the market, it is quickly filled with foreign content.
I released three films about the war, and each of them was appropriate and timely. Each film contributed to both Ukrainian cinema and Ukrainian society. I received comments from the audience, and these comments showed that our work was of great importance. These films were not about money or earnings, but about raising the image. They were important because they reflected the expectations of the audience. Currently, there is a significant development of Ukrainian cinema. However, there is a problem with insufficient funding for production.
Unfortunately, funds are allocated mainly for documentaries. This creates challenges, as viewers want to see Ukrainian films, but there are a limited number of them.
Why is it critical to do everything for the sake of canceling Russian cinema? Are we making progress and what are the challenges we face on this path?
As the head of the State Film Support Council, I do not receive any compensation from the state. I travel to all the festivals on my own at my own expense, organizing with friends and promoting our position. We hope that the situation will change and we will be provided with funding. Our goal is to replace Russian TV series with Ukrainian-language content and to involve all citizens in supporting this process.
At this time, pitchings are being held and there are global platforms that support Ukrainian filmmakers and create residencies for them. We hope that we will have similar funding and the opportunity to join European collaborations.
In our country, many bloggers create Ukrainian-language content and are gaining popularity. We hope that this will gradually become more popular and receive support.
As the Chairman of the Council, I can say that we not only help the military but also support our film industry. We cooperate with the President’s Office and the National Guard and raise funds to purchase 1000 drones for our military, as it is important for their safety. Our Council constantly monitors events and tries to help filmmakers. We have created a white list of unfinished projects and promoted them internationally to attract funding and partnerships.
The Ukrainian film industry is gradually recovering, and some filmmakers have returned from abroad. We are committed to developing cinematography in Ukraine and look forward to further cooperation and the opportunity to communicate at the Odesa Film Festival.
