European Festivals Respond to Russian Invasion by Promoting Ukrainian Films

Wilson Chapman editorDuring his acceptance speech at Friday’s ICG Publicist’s Guild awards luncheon, legendary director Francis Ford Coppola made an impassioned plea for the Russian invasion of Ukraine to end.“I confess I met Putin, and I met Zelenskyy who is really a show business guy, his whole government, all of them are actors,” Coppola said during his acceptance speech. “And I know of what I speak when I say, if one word would just be said, one word with the force of meaning: Stop.

A Ukrainian band has posted a video to social media asking to be included in the Concert For Ukraine being staged by ITV and STV later this month.The video posted by Antytila addressed Ed Sheeran, who has been confirmed as one of the acts to play the upcoming concert, which will raise monies for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Their message to Sheeran was recorded on the streets of Kyiv where the band members – wearing combat gear in the video – are part of the army fighting against the Russian invasion.They stated: “Hello Ed, greetings from Kyiv! We are Ukrainian musicians of the Ukrainian band Antytila – one of the most popular Ukrainian bands with a lot of fans in Ukraine and all over the world. In peacetime, our concerts gather at stadiums.

EXCLUSIVE: Influential Ukrainian film producer Denis Ivanov, whose credits include Sergey Loznitsa’s Donbass and Oleg Sentsov’s Rhino, says the lack of support from major film festivals for a boycott of Russian culture is tantamount to complicity in Vladimir Putin’s war.

Mila Kunis opened up about how she feels about the ongoing war between her home country of Ukraine and Russia in an interview with Maria Shriver for her digital series, #ConversationsAboveTheNoise. "It’s been irrelevant to me that I come from Ukraine. It never mattered," she said.  "So much so that I’ve always said I’m Russian.

Protesters have gathered in Piccadilly Gardens for the third weekend in a row to show their support for the people of Ukraine.

Christie Brinkley is drawing attention to the dangers of nuclear radiation from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, describing the perilous situation as “a game of Russian roulette” that should concern the entire world.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are paying a visit.

Reflection, a film set during the war in Donbass in eastern Ukraine in 2014 [via Variety].Switzerland’s Visions du Réel docs festival has announced that its selections for its April event will comprise four works directed and/or produced in Ukraine. Simon Lereng Wilmont’s A House Made Of Splinters, which won a directing prize at Sundance in January, is one of the included films.In November, the Stockholm Film Festival will host film screenings, director visits and masterclasses in order to promote the country’s cinema.The Czech Republic’s Karlovy Vary Intl.

For love of country. Mila Kunis, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and more Ukrainian celebrities are taking a stand and showing support for their homeland amid the unrest in Ukraine.

Less than two weeks ago, Dmytro Pidruchnyi was competing at the Winter Olympics in Ukraine’s national colors. Now he’s wearing a military uniform and ballistic helmet.

The Cannes Film Festival has taken a position on the war in Ukraine, and will bar Russian delegations at its 75th edition this May. "As the world has been hit by a heavy crisis in which a part of Europe finds itself in a state of war, the Festival de Cannes wishes to extend all its support to the people of Ukraine and all those who are in its territory," reads a statement released on Tuesday.

DirecTV has dropped RT America, the sister network to Russia Today, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Steven Seagal wants to see peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentThe Cannes Film Festival has issued a statement commenting on calls for a boycott of Russian cinema and said it will bar Russian delegations but not filmmakers. “As the world has fallen into a grave crisis and sees a part of Europe in a state of war, the Cannes Film Festival would like to express all its support to the Ukrainian people and to all those who are currently in Ukraine.” “As modest as it can be, we are joining out voice to all those who are opposing this unacceptable situation and are denouncing the stance of Russia and its leaders.” “We have a particular thought for the artists and professionals within the Ukrainian film words, as with their families whose lives are now in danger.” The festival said it will not welcome official Russian delegations and “will not accept even the smallest presence of any institutions linked to the Russian government.” Cannes said however that it praised the courage of all those in Russia who are taking risks to protest against the agression and invasion of Ukraine.” “Among them are artists and professionals who have never stopped fighting against the current regime and would never be associated to this intolerable acts and those who are bombarding Ukraine,” said Cannes.

Members of the Ukrainian music community yesterday called on Apple Music and Spotify to allow artists to include political messaging in their artwork on the streaming platforms in response to Russia’s invasion of their country.As the Russian army continues and escalates its military assault on Ukraine, President Putin’s regime is pursing a prolific propaganda campaign within Russia in a bid to hide the motives for and scale of the invasion. Ukrainian musicians want to pursue every possible way of informing Russian citizens about what is happening on the ground, including via the digital platforms that have an audience in Russia.

Glasgow Film Festival has revealed that it has pulled two Russian titles from its line up due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff has slammed Russia's invasion of Ukraine.