Participants of the meeting, who represented the Embassies of Ukraine from more than 70 countries, discussed how the language of cinema helps foster the dialogue with international audiences and what practical advantages can diplomats gain from opening their own spaces for film screenings.
The foundation for this partnership was laid by the Memorandum of Cooperation, which was signed in 2025 between the NGO Docudays and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The aim of the partnership is to spread accurate information about Ukraine in the world and to conduct systematic human rights education activities.
As of today, the results are significant: within the DOCU/CLUB Network, 6 film clubs have been registered at the Embassies of Ukraine, and 29 film clubs are affiliated with various unions of Ukrainians abroad.
Photo: Olha Babchuk
During the presentation, Olha Babchuk, communications manager of the Network, elaborated on the advantages of opening film clubs affiliated with diplomatic missions abroad:
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Platform for cultural diplomacy. A film club could serve as a permanent platform for showcasing culture, history, and current challenges of Ukraine to international audiences.
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Strengthening ties with the community and the diaspora. Screenings bring together Ukrainians residing abroad, locals, and experts. A film club can become a crucial meeting point at the intersection between various cultures and experiences.
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Informal learning and dialogue. Discussions after screenings foster critical thinking, empathy, and intercultural sensitivity – these values are equally important for diplomacy and civic cooperation.
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Media presence and visibility of Ukraine. High-quality content increases our presence in the cultural field of a foreign country, creating an image of a developed, democratic state. Regular screenings of films help increase attention to Ukraine in the media landscape of the country of the embassy’s operation.
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Platform for partnerships. Film screenings facilitate collaborations with local universities, cultural centers, and human rights organizations, broadening the circle of support for Ukraine.
Photo: Kateryna Singurova
Kateryna Singurova, partnerships coordinator of the DOCU/CLUB Network, presented to the participants the collection of films that are available for screening to international audiences. She emphasized that the Network not only provides embassies with high-quality content, but also contributes to the training of moderators and provides them with methodological and organizational support.
The presentation by Kyryko Chuyko, representative of the Embassy of Ukraine in China and moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the Embassy, caused a vivid response from the audience. The diplomat shared his experience of moderating film screenings in Beijing: “The viewers’ reaction was incredibly powerful. Documentary films help overcome cultural barriers and prejudice. Our screenings contributed to development of ties with local civic activists who support Ukraine. This is a clear confirmation that culture remains an effective channel of communication, even under complicated geopolitical conditions.”
The international network of film club has a great potential for growth. Ukrainian diplomats view documentary films as an effective resource for promotion of national interests. The combination of diplomatic efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the expertise of the DOCU/CLUB Network helps make Ukraine’s voice convincing on the global scale and emotionally close to every viewer.
The project is implemented with the support of the DOCU/CLUB Network, funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine and Fondation de France.
The opinions, conclusions or recommendations are those of the authors and compilers of this publication and do not necessarily reflect the views of the governments or charitable organizations of these countries. The authors and compilers are solely responsible for the content of this publication.
Title photo: courtesy of the NGO Docudays’ archive.
