Cabinet Increases Financial Support for Dovzhenko Film Studio to Settle Debts – Berezhna

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the Ukrainian government approved a significant resolution from the Ministry of Culture aimed at bolstering the financial stability of the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio. This decision involves reallocating 29.4 million UAH from the strategic communications and information security program to the state support program for cinema. The funding is intended to cover the current expenses of the film studio and will allow the studio to direct its own revenues towards settling its debts. This was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine, Tetiana Berezhna.

In her Facebook post, Tetiana Berezhna highlighted that the government’s decision to increase financial support for the film studio is a crucial step towards stabilizing its operations. She emphasized that the 29.4 million UAH will be allocated for paying the salaries of the studio’s employees, covering utility expenses, and gradually settling accumulated debts that arose due to the challenging economic situation.

The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed out that the Dovzhenko Film Studio has found itself in difficult circumstances due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She reported that as a result of the war, there has been a decrease in orders and activity in the studios, leading to the formation of significant debts. This situation complicates the development and effective functioning of the film studio, which is an essential part of Ukraine's cultural heritage.

Tetiana Berezhna explained that the Cabinet of Ministers has redistributed part of the state budget expenditures of the Ministry of Culture for the year 2026. These funds were redirected from the strategic communications and information security program to the state support program for cinema. She noted that thanks to this decision, the film studio will be able to cover its current expenses and will also allow it to direct no less than 90% of its own revenues towards settling debts that were outstanding as of April 1, 2026.

Berezhna expressed confidence that this decision will strengthen an institution that is an integral part of Ukrainian cultural memory. She underscored that supporting the film studio is vital for preserving and studying film heritage, as well as for the overall development of Ukrainian cinema. This government step demonstrates the importance of cultural policy in the face of modern challenges that the country is facing.