Promo campaign of the film “Donbass” by Sergei Loznitsa in Los Angeles

Thanks to the support of Ukrainian Cultural Foundation – UkrKino film company initiated PR-campaign of Ukraine’s Official Submission for 91st Academy Awards (R) in Best Foreign Language Film category. 

Every country that has produced some movies throughout the year submits it’s best film for “Oscar”. Each year, the Ukrainian National Oscar Committee determines which film is submitted. “DONBASS” by Sergei Loznitsa will represent Ukraine this year. The film was theatrically released in Ukraine in 2018

“DONBASS” was made as co-production between Germany, Ukraine, the Netherlands, France and Romania. The film was partially financed from Ukraine, as one of the winners of 8th call of Ukrainian State Film Agency. Ukrainian co-producer of the film is Dennis Ivanov and his company “Arthouse Traffic”

After the reform of the Ukrainian Oscar Committee, the filmmakers numerously demanded to allocate funds for the presentation of the country’s film-submission in Hollywood. The opportunity first appeared this year thanks to the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and Ukrainian State Film Agency. 

According to the rules, voting members of the Academy should watch all films on the big screen, that’s why it is very important that several additional screenings of the film are organized.  The presence of media, members of guilds, opinion leaders — anyone who can spread information about the film— is essential for the screenings. As a part of the PR campaign, five film screenings will be held in Los Angeles, two of which will be followed by Q&A with the director. Sergei Loznitsa himself will spend 5 days in Los Angeles, from 3 to 8 November.

The campaign is not limited to screenings only. The publications about DONBASS were placed in the Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Also, Sergei Loznitsa will be interviewed by the Wrap and other media outlets during his visit to LA.

On the 4th of November the first special event (screening and Q&A, followed by the reception) was held in NeueHouse Hollywood on Sunset blvd. The screening room was packed. Sergei Loznitsa introduced the film, giving the crowd a taste of what was to come, and then returned for the Q&A, moderated by Katie Walsh of the Los Angeles Times. They touched on the conflict in Ukraine, the representation of “Fake News” and how it has permeated into the U.S. and Sergei’s cinema verité style and documentary filmmaking background. Everyone in the room stayed for the Q&A.  Video report is available on UkrKino’s Youtube channel as well as for download under this link.

On the 5th of November second screening (followed Q&A with the director) was held in the American Film Institute. The video will be available under same links. 

Photo and video reports from events are being added to the albums below as soon as they become uploaded by our team in LA and are available for download and use by the media.  

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