Ukraine Opens Up for Co-Productions in Animation
We have seen Ukrainian animation films that were the results of co-productions before, like the multiple-acclaimed (and awarded) 11-minute animation short 'I Died in Irpin' by Anastasiia Falileiva. A co-production between the Czech Republic (Maur Film), the Slovak Republic (Artichoke), and Ukraine (Plastic Bag Films), the film is set at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, in which Anastasiia Falileieva and her boyfriend leave Kyiv to visit his parents in Irpin.
Or the Estonian production (Joonisfilm) and a creative collaboration of 'Kyiv Cake' (2025) by Mykyta Lyskov, a 22-minute animation short about a child born into a poor Ukrainian family and facing hardships in a quirky comedy manner, before another danger flares up.
We now witness a new Ukrainian state initiative (“Tysiachovesna", Thousand Spring) to streamline these efforts and fund artists and creators (including animation creators) through an open competition. The call is open for both majority and minority co-productions with Ukraine; projects may focus on Ukraine (past, present and future) but other topics are also welcome. Proposed projects can range from animation shorts to series to features.
Applications are open till 28 May 2026.
The full initiative call
“Tysiachovesna” is a state initiative that funds the creation of Ukrainian cultural content, supporting artists and creators through an open competition.
Mission of the initiative
- To foster a generation that, through contemporary cultural content, feels a sense of belonging to its country, thinks in Ukrainian cultural narratives, and remains resilient to external information influences.
- Eligible applicants include legal entities regardless of their organizational form (creative unions, NGOs, public institutions), individual entrepreneurs, and other business entities registered in Ukraine.
- Thematic areas for cultural content include: Ukrainian history, the security and defense forces of Ukraine, life during wartime, universal human values, preservation and development of the Ukrainian language, prominent figures, folklore heritage, looted art, socially important professions, active citizenship, the future of Ukraine, accessibility, mental health, and natural heritage.
Funding conditions
- Animation (debut, features, short films, and series) as well as films for young audiences have an allocated budget of UAH 490 million (≈ €10.5 million) and may receive up to 100% state funding. Both majority and minority co-productions are eligible. A deal memo will be required.
- Animated projects may be produced—if justified—until December 31, 2028. This is the maximum allowed timeline.
- Applicants may submit an unlimited number of applications across different categories or calls. Each application is treated as a separate project and evaluated independently.
- For animation projects, a storyboard or a treatment with a visual concept is required.
- Please note that one of the conditions is a business reputation (due diligence) check of the applicant, carried out by Ukrainian banks where the applicant is serviced or applies for services. This process may take some time.
Selection process
- Applications are open from April 3 to May 28.
- Applicants must prepare the required documentation, complete the application form, and submit it to the designated email address for the chosen category:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The selection process consists of three stages:
- Stage 1 (May 29 – June 5): formal eligibility check. A list of projects advancing to the next stage will be published.
- Stage 2 (June 10 – July 21): expert evaluation. Only projects scoring at least 60 points advance to the next stage.
- Stage 3 (August): public presentation (pitching) before selection committees in an in-person, online, or hybrid format. Each participant has up to 15 minutes: 10 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for Q&A.
More info (in Ukrainian)
(thanks to Anastasiya Verlinska)
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