In the Rearview
War Documentary (2023)
Directed by Maciek Hamela.
TUFF’s festival opener, this raw, minimalist, documentary feature received its North American premiere last year at TIFF. It has been touring North America to awards and rave reviews, and was shortlisted for Best Documentary at the 2024 Oscars. The film’s strength is in its simplicity: at the beginning of the Russian invasion, director Maciek Hamela purchased a van to evacuate people seeking refuge from the violence. Filmed from the front of the van, this movie is a compilation of stories and experiences told by the passengers. 84 minutes.
April 4 - 7 p.m.
I Work at the Cemetery
Dark Comedy (2022)
Directed by Alexey Taranenko.
Cynical, 35-year old Sasha manages tombstone installation at a local cemetery. This dark comedy follows Sasha as he interacts with eccentric customers, cemetery bandits, and his own daring teenage daughter. I Work at the Cemetery has received major awards and nominations, including Best Actor at the 2021 Ukrainian Film Critics Awards. 100 minutes.
April 5 - 6:30 p.m.
La Palisiada
Crime (2023)
Directed by Philip Sotnychenko.
This captivating crime drama recently received 13 nominations and five awards, including Best Feature Film, at the Torino Film Festival. The film centres around two friends, a police detective and a forensic psychiatrist, as they investigate a colleague’s murder in 1996 Ukraine. Not only a gripping story, it’s smart commentary on Ukraine’s first years of independence, the post-Soviet continuum, and its transition into the present. 100 minutes.
April 5 - 9:00 p.m.
Valeria Is Getting Married
Drama (2022)
Directed by Michal Vinik.
This award-winning drama received its North American premiere at TIFF 2022. A story about two Ukrainian sisters that decide to marry through online arranged marriages, the film opens a window into the nuances and complexity of such arrangements, as well as the precarity of the sisters’ positions as both recent immigrants and the power dynamics of an arranged marriage. Co-presented with the Odesa International Film Festival and the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. 76 minutes.
April 7, 4 p.m.
The 2023 Toronto Ukrainian Film Festival was brought to you by the Kino Canada Team. Our 3 day celebration raised $30,000 in donations for Second Front UA and Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Aid for Artists.
Kino Canada was founded as an artery to continue bringing contemporary Ukrainian Films to Canada.
All proceeds from Kino Canada events will go to support organizations that provide relief to Ukraine: humanitarian aid, protective military gear and funding for Ukrainian art and culture.
Please contact Roman Lysiak, founder of TUFF and Kino Canada, for more information or to join our team of volunteers.
Our Generous 2024 Sponsors
Second Front UA
An officially registered Canadian not-for-profit corporation, collaborates with reputable partners throughout North America, Europe, and Ukraine to procure and distribute non-lethal tactical and medical supplies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Our exclusive focus on established logistics partners and volunteers with a proven history of delivering aid to Ukraine, including frontline and active military zones, ensures the effectiveness and reliability of our initiatives. Since its inception, Second Front UA has successfully raised over $1.4 million in monetary donations and has delivered more than $1.5 million worth of tactical and medical supplies to support Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines.
Learn more about Second Front...
CUF - Canada-Ukraine Foundation
With 28 years of experience in Ukraine, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) monitors and promotes programs that support humanitarian aid, medical assistance, education, social welfare, and good governance. CUF communicates and collaborates with aid providers and donors in Ukraine, Canada, and beyond to maximize impact and cost-effectiveness of our support.
Learn more about CUF...
UCFC - Ukrainian Canadian Film Community
A Canadian organization spearheaded by Anna Palenchuk, helping recently immigrated film professionals from Ukraine find work in Canada and promote contemporary Ukrainian Film Productions here and abroad.
Learn more about Anna...
