Last week, Cineuropa published Ukrainian filmmakers’ call not to remain silent in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (see the news). Today, we publish the open letter signed by over 250 film professionals and institutions from across the world in response to their call. Among the institutional signatories of the letter are Latvian documentary pitching forum Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries, Sweden’s Baltic to Black Sea Documentary Network, Belgium’s Close Up Initiative, Biarritz’s FIPADOC, Geneva’s FIFDH Human Rights Film Festival, French distributor Java Films, Paris-based festival Pariscience, France’s Association Science et Télévision and the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (see the news).

Here is their statement:
“Dear colleagues and friends from Ukraine,
You called upon the world not to remain silent in the face of Vladimir Putin’s war against your people. We have heard you. We will not be silent. Our hearts are broken at the thought that you are currently hiding in the Metro, waiting for hours to cross the border or, and the very thought of it is mind-blowing, taking up a weapon for the first time in your life to defend your home.
We love your films, your teams and your festivals. We think of DOCUDAYS UA, which had little choice but to postpone its 19th edition (people willing to donate to the festival can do so here).
We love working with you. We will not be silent until you get your life back.
The International Coalition For Filmmakers at Risk is putting together an emergency fund. Please consider making a donation here.
Babylon’13, a Ukrainian association, has created a Facebook fundraiser to support those of you working on the front line.
We are calling on all broadcasters, festivals and cultural institutions to programme, buy or re-run your films.
We have heard you. We will not be silent. We will fight, by any means possible, the toxic disinformation war waged by Russia and will keep our hearts open to all Russians and Belarusians who resist Putin’s war.
Dearest Ukrainian friends, we will keep your voice raised and alive while you fight.
#StandWithUkraine.”

The list of signatories can be found here.

Watch this space for more information.