Ukrainian-made films are very popular. Despite the challenges, they continue to make a significant contribution to world cinema. Find out more about 8 talented Ukrainian directors who create exciting films

Order branded Visit Ukraine merchandise and support Ukraine (worldwide delivery)

BUY

In recent years, Ukrainian cinematography has begun to develop actively. Films by Ukrainian directors debut at international film festivals and are released in many countries around the world. Talented masters continue shooting even in war conditions.

Today we will talk about 8 directors who conquered Ukrainian and world cinema.

Read more about 10 films for those who want to learn more about Ukraine here.

Nariman Aliyev

Ukrainian director of Crimean Tatar origin, in 2013 he received a bachelor's degree at the Institute of Screen Arts, and in 2014 he already had a specialist degree in television directing at the I.K. Karpenko-Kary KNUTKiT.

The director owns the following famous tapes: "Return with the dawn", "I love you", "Without you" and "Home". The latter was selected for the "Special View" competition of the 72nd Cannes International Festival.

After February 24, 2022, he is actively engaged in volunteer activities, holds charity screenings of his paintings abroad. Also, at the auction in support of the Armed Forces, the director sold the script of the film "Home" for 90 thousand hryvnias.

Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi

The director of the films "Storoz", "Diagnoz", "Deafness", "Nuclear waste", "Tribe" was born in the family of a Ukrainian writer. The film "Incident" (Ukrainian version – "Horror") was the debut work of Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi. Now the director is working on a short film, which will be included in the film almanac "War through the eyes of animals". Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn will star in the film. Filming will take place in the summer of 2023 in Ukraine and the USA.

Antonio Lukic

Ukrainian film and television director and screenwriter. In the summer of 2019, at the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary, Antonio's first full-length debut - the film "My Thoughts are Quiet" - was shown on big screens.

In April 2023, the tape "Luxemburg, Luxemburg" - the director's second full-length film - was released in Ukrainian cinemas. During the first weekend of distribution, the film was seen by 34,800 viewers, and the box office totaled 5.59 million hryvnias. The film in the tragicomedy genre was loved by the Ukrainian audience.

Roman Balayan

Roman Balayan is an outstanding Ukrainian director of Armenian origin, the creator of the films "Flight in a Dream and Awake", "Biriuk" and "Birds of Paradise", People's Artist of Ukraine and a member of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine. In 2020, the artist received the "Golden Duke" award of the Odessa International Film Festival for his contribution to the art of cinema. In 2020, the director was awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise for his significant personal contribution to state building, socio-economic, scientific-technical, cultural-educational development of Ukraine.

Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

Akhtem Seitablaev

Ukrainian actor and director of Crimean Tatar origin. The debut work of the director was the picture "Quartet for Two", which was released in 2007. The director's most famous films are also "Factory of Happiness", "Autumn Flowers", "8 Countries, 8 Directors and Sinan", "Dark Waters", "Khaitarma", "Cyborgs", "Zakhar Berkut", "Volunteer". Awarded the Order of Merit of the III degree, the Golden Cross of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, laureate of the Crimean state prize for the role of Macbeth in the play "Macduff".

Iryna Tsylyk

Ukrainian director Iryna Tsylyk is the author of the works "Me and Felix", "The Earth is Blue, Like an Orange", "Tyra", "Home", "Remembrance" and "Vdosvita". In 2020, for the film "The Earth is Blue, Like Oranges", Iryna Tsylyk received the award for the best directorial work of the Sundance Film Festival. In 2021, she won in the "Cinema" category of the "Women in Arts" award. In 2023, together with 27 other Ukrainian film artists, she became a member of the European Film Academy.

Oleg Sentsov

The film director shot his first film "Gamer" in 2011. The tape tells about a gamer who won the world championship. The picture was presented at the Rotterdam Film Festival. In 2013, he presented the "Rhino" project. However, due to Oleg Sentsov's imprisonment in a Russian prison, the production was postponed. The film was released in wide distribution only on February 17, 2022. During the first weekend of rental, it collected 3,551,850 hryvnias. The tape is now available on the Netflix streaming platform.

Oles Sanin

Outstanding Ukrainian film director, laureate of the Oleksandr Dovzhenko State Prize of Ukraine and Honored Artist of Ukraine. Oles Sanin is the director of the film "Mamay" - the first film that Ukraine nominated for the "Oscar". The movie was shot in 2003 based on Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar legends. In 2014, the long-awaited premiere of the film "The Guide", dedicated to the events of the 1930s in Ukraine, took place at the Odesa Film Festival.

On August 24, 2023, one of the most anticipated and most expensive Ukrainian films by Oles Sanin, "Dovbush", will be released.

Ukrainian cinematography has many revealed and undiscovered talents who create real masterpieces and actively develop Ukrainian cinema, popularize Ukrainian culture and tell the world about our state.

We remind you! The literary achievements of Ukrainian writers are not limited to the borders of Ukraine, as their books find their readers all over the world. Read more about the authors who have made a significant contribution to the popularization of Ukrainian literature here.

You may be interested in:

Visit Ukraine Donation - make a good deed and an important contribution to the Victory of Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours - the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Merch - choose patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery;

Visit Ukraine News - get the latest news and updates in our Telegram channel;

Cooperation - cooperation and advertising integrations with Visit Ukraine and Visit World projects.