Ukrainian Film Days kicks off in Tbilisi

Georgia's capital city Tbilisi is hosting an event to support Ukrainian film director and civil society activist Oleg Sentsov, who became one of the few who rallied to unite Ukraine. 

Sentsov was forced to put his second feature-length film Rhinoceros on the back burner when Russian-backed separatists entered Ukraine and began their occupation of Crimea. Sentsov was arrested and charged with terrorism while he participated in the Avtomaidan Civil Movement in May 2014.

The four-day event, titled Ukrainian Film Days, opened with the Oscar-nominated Ukrainian movie The Guide, directed by Oles Sanin. The emotionally patriotic film was set in the 1930s but reflected more contemporary issues. 

The event was organised by the National Film Centre of Georgia and was held for the first time in Georgia. Already the event has been held in 10 cities in Ukraine.

A National Film Centre representative said the goal of the event was to support the Ukrainian film director as well as promote modern Ukrainian cinema in Georgia.

"Now Georgian people have a chance to support a political prisoner and film director and enjoy watching modern Ukrainian movies,” the representative said.

Meanwhile Sentsov’s first full-length film The Gamer will also go on the big screen during Ukrainian Film Days event.