FILMA. FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL

In the 1920s, a «motion picture» was called both «film» and «filma» (in Ukrainian, the noun «film» is masculine while the ending «a» makes it feminine). There were even public debates about which form of the word was more correct. Gradually, the feminine «filma» dwindled out of use. One hundred years later, we have decided to name our festival Filma in an attempt to show that for us the question of what cinema is and what it can be remains open.

We call ourselves Filma because cinema can be a co-creative process, with equal opportunities for all participants, instead of the strict top-down favored by privileged directors. We call ourselves Filma because cinema can be less pro-government and more politically aware, less predatory, and more sensitive to humans and non-humans. We call ourselves Filma because cinema can be less red carpet/celebrity culture-oriented, and more inclusive and socially responsible. We call ourselves Filma because it is important for us to think about the possibilities and responsibilities of cinema in the long run, together.

The festival was created by a feminist collective as a collaborative platform for films that meet the principles of intersectional feminism, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, inclusion, and a culture of consent. Conversations with the authors and protagonists of the films, as well as researchers and activists, are an integral part of the program.

Non-hierarchical approach. The festival is non-competitive and open to films of all formats, runtimes, and genres: features, documentaries, animated and experimental films can be shown in thematic programs. All films, from debuts and experimental work to «classics», we consider as equal. We try to pay more attention to feminist themes, and methods of creating feminist cinema, and to develop mutual support among like-minded people, regardless of the forms we work with.

Accessibility. The festival is a 100% online event. Majority of films available worldwide and free of charge. The discussions are available worldwide. The films are shown in the original language with Ukrainian and English subtitles (SDH). Audio descriptions will be available for some films. The working languages of the discussions are English and Ukrainian, with two-way translation and a translation into Ukrainian sign language.

Safety. We aim to create a space free of misogyny, transphobia, racism, heterosexism, ableism, and other forms of oppression. A space where it is possible to find points of intersection between the needs of all vulnerable groups, mutual understanding, and support.

Filma collective: geo, Svitlana Shymko, Ira Tantsiura
Coordinator of translation: Zhenia Perutska
SMM-manager: Ivanna Prokopchuk
PR-manager: Yana Dzyga
Financial manager: Olena Medvid

“Who Is Afraid Of True Names” program: co-selected with nadiya chushak
Text about “Who Is Afraid Of True Names” program: Iryna Zamuruieva

Illustrations: Ivanna Prokopchuk
Logo: EtchingRoom1
Website design: Nast’ey Teo
Festival’s postcards design: Double Cherry
Festival’s tote bags design: Liudmyla
Website programming: Svitlana Shymko

Translation: Dariia Gordiichuk, Ivanna Hotsuliak, Mariia Kazantseva, Natalka Novinska, Anniris Oms, Svitlana Panova, Anastasiia Perun, Zhenia Perutska, Kateryna Tereshchenko, Máximo André Martynenko Shchehlov
SDH subtitles: Anniris Oms, Svitlana Panova, Anastasiia Perun, Zhenia Perutska, Máximo André Martynenko Shchehlov
Proofreading (UKR): Oleksandr Podoliak, Katya Rudyk
Proofreading (ENG, curators texts): Anna Bowles

Interpretation during the discussions: Olesya Kamyshnykova, Iryna Deineko
Interpretation during the discussions into Ukrainian sign language: Nadiya Kotsovska, Natalia Moskovets

Texts for audiodescriptions for the films “zong”, “Criminal Queers”, “You Think That The Earth Is a Dead Thing”, “Trans Kashmir”, “Boots on The Ground, Hands in The Soil”, “2 Spirit Dreamcatcher Dot Com“:: Accessible Cinema agency (NGO Fight For Rights)
Audiodesciption and characters voiced by: Double Cherry, geo, Kateryna Herasymchuk, Iva, Anna Pochtarenko, Yana Prokopchuk, Lisa Severina, Ira Tantsiura, Shonie
Sound director: Kateryna Herasymchuk

Special thanks to: Yulia Serdyukova, Nelia Vakhovska, Kateryna Babych, nadiya chushak, Daria Badior, Anna Bowles, Brigid O’Shea, and all our close ones and friends who support us on the way

We also thank: Lesia Pagulich, oleksa shevchenko, Katya Rudyk, Natasha Tseliuba, Yana and Olena from the Museum of Book and Printing in Ukraine

With financial support from: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung in Ukraine, RFSL, Movies That Matter, Ukrainian Feminist Network
Media partners: Commons, Feminist Critique
Offline screenings partners: Bilkis (Lviv), SAD (Odesa), NGO “Sphere” (Kharkiv), Dnipro Center for Contemporary Culture (Dnipro), Drugstore space (Kyiv)