The European Film Academy has written to all Ukrainian members to offer its support following the Russian invasion of Ukraine February 24 2022.
The letter underlines how, “European cinema has always been shaped by important values. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights are key elements in creating the best circumstances for filmmakers to work. As an Academy and through our work, we strongly advocate for these values and protest any violation.”
“It’s too early in the day to have too incisive an analysis,” Mike Downey, Chairman of the European Film Academy whose members number 4200, tells Business Doc Europe. “But we are monitoring the situation with our board, as well as colleagues in border countries like Poland to see how we can all work together to provide practical support for any Ukrainian filmmakers who may be in need of it. We will discuss the matter further at our board meeting next week and see what there is to be done from our side.”
The February 24 Academy letter reads in full:
As a Ukrainian member of the European Film Academy we’d like to write you personally. While aware of the ongoing political and military escalation in the Eastern part of Ukraine since many years, which first gained international attention with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, we do realise the current daily increase of tension must have an impact on your life and health, morale and creative work.
On behalf of the community of over 4,200 members of the European Film Academy, we want to express our solidarity with you.
The European Film Academy was founded in 1989 by filmmakers from Eastern and Western Europe, with the aim to defend the cinema in our part of the world and unite filmmakers from all parts of Europe. European cinema has always been shaped by important values. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights are key elements in creating the best circumstances for filmmakers to work. As an Academy and through our work, we strongly advocate for these values and protest any violation.
You are one of our valued members. Rest assured we stand behind you, supporting your work in the best way we can.
Yours sincerely,
Agnieszka Holland, President
Mike Downey OBE, Chairman
Matthijs Wouter Knol, CEO and Director
