Moderators with no previous experience of participation in mentorship training provided by the Network team have joined the program. Most of them have only recently started working with film clubs. Therefore, they will have a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience and practical guidance developed by the program's mentors and experts over the years of their work at film clubs.
Six mentors of the DOCU/CLUB Network will be sharing with participants of the DOCU ACTS 4.0 Program knowledge and practical skills necessary for successful operation of a film club. Some of them have previous mentorship experience.
Khrystyna Hataliak
Khrystyna Hataliak, Docudays UA film club moderator at the NGO Patronus from Lviv, began her cooperation with the Network in 2017. “Docudays UA film clubs are my long-standing passion. I will be passing it on to my mentees. Participation in the mentorship program is about mutual enrichment and mutual learning, which requires a peer-to-peer approach,” said the mentor, who will be working with a group of moderators of the film clubs at libraries and civil society organizations.
Oleh Okhredko
“Docudays UA is my life — I’ve been part of the Network for over 10 years. As an educator, I have witnessed firsthand the powerful impact that documentary films can have on children. I will be sharing my experience in organizing film club activities in schools and educational institutions,” said Oleh Okhredko, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the Center for Civic Education “Almenda” in Chornomorsk, Odesa region, who will be mentoring moderators of film clubs at educational institutions as part of this year’s program.
Maria Symkovych
Maria Symkovych, moderator of the “Alternatyva” film club at the NGO “Carpathian Human Rights Agency ‘Vested’” in Uzhhorod, will also work with educators who moderate film clubs. During the introductory meeting, she shared: “Twelve years ago, I was invited into the amazing world of Docudays, which has since become a part of my life. I see that our films inspire people to develop their own initiatives. I will be happy to encourage my mentees to pursue such changes and to draw inspiration for my own work.”
For three of the mentors, participation in the DOCU ACTS 4.0 Program will become the first experience of mentorship within the DOCU/CLUB Network.
Olena Ihnatenko
Olena Ihnatenko, moderator of the “Nove pokolinnya” (New Generation) film club at Kryvyi Rih Lyceum No. 127, joined the Network in 2016. As part of this year’s DOCU ACTS 4.0 Program, she will mentor one more group of film club moderators working at educational institutions. “I started with a film club at a summer school camp, and for many years now, I have been heading a film club at the lyceum. I will gladly share all my knowledge and experience I’ve gained with new members of our wonderful team,” the mentor promised.
Natalya Mosentsova
Natalya Mosentsova, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the Berestynskyi District Unit No. 2 of the State Institution “Probation Center” branch in the Kharkiv region, will be mentoring a group of film club moderators working at probation centers and correctional facilities. “I’ve been looking for new approaches and effective methods to engage probation clients — that’s how my cooperation with the DOCU/CLUB Network began. I have many ideas and suggestions for my group. I’m confident that the knowledge they gain will support them in their work,” the mentor stated.
Andriy Volyk
Andriy Volyk, moderator of the “Democracy Defenders” film club at the NGO “STAN” in Ivano-Frankivsk, has been cooperating with the Network for 7 years now. He is mentoring a group of moderators whose film clubs operate at Ukrainian NGOs, as well as abroad. “I myself participated in one of the previous DOCU ACTS programs and took part in a film club’s advocacy project. As a media manager, I will help develop effective communication for the film clubs. Together, we will learn from one another and achieve incredible things!” the mentor said.
Over the course of four months, the program participants will engage in training, dialogue, and exchange of experiences. The DOCU/CLUB Network team will provide all necessary support and assistance to novice moderators.
Fondest congratulations to our colleagues on the start of their training!
We are confident that DOCU ACTS 4.0 will spark new stars in our film club community.
The development of the DOCU/CLUB Network is funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) 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.
