Sometimes it is art that speaks when ordinary words are no longer enough. And sometimes it is cinema that takes on the mission of memory — to preserve the voices, faces, emotions, pain, and hope of a people scattered across the world, yet united in their dignity. Ukrainian cinema today is more than screen art. It is a form of cultural presence, a way of speaking to the world about freedom, humanity, loss, and resilience.
For many years, this has been the language of the International Internet Film Festival Star Independent — a platform that brings together directors, screenwriters, producers, actors, musicians, designers, cultural figures, and audiences from different countries. Here, cinema becomes not only art, but also an act of memory, a gesture of solidarity, and a form of cultural diplomacy.
The 11th festival stood out especially vividly in two American cities — Chicago and Miami. Two cities, two atmospheres, yet one shared story about how Ukrainian culture lives, develops, and resonates far beyond the borders of its homeland.
Chicago as a Point of Cultural Strength
Chicago has long been not simply a place where Ukrainians live, but a center of the diaspora’s active cultural, educational, and business life. It is here that Ukrainian cinema resonates with particular power, because the audience does not simply watch — they live through each story as their own.
A symbolic moment was the screening of the feature film Call Sign “Banderas” directed by Zaza Buadze, which took place at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where Olena Yaremchuk — the president and founder of the film festival — is studying. This screening became an important sign that Ukrainian history, pain, and truth are being heard in the heart of the American academic space.
In just two weeks of preparation, the festival in Chicago received support from 40 companies. This once again demonstrated that Ukrainian culture is an important part of the American-Ukrainian social and business environment. The participants’ works represented not only Ukraine and the United States, but also Poland, Germany, Estonia, and other countries, emphasizing the international scale of the festival.
A special role in the festival belongs to the jury — professionals from the worlds of cinema, television, literature, production, cultural diplomacy, and media:
Oksana Osher is a writer, screenwriter, and cultural figure working at the intersection of Ukrainian and American cultural spaces. As Chair of the Jury, she brings intellectual rigor and a refined understanding of authorial expression to the festival.
Vadim Perelman is an internationally acclaimed film director and producer whose name is associated with the highest professional standards of contemporary cinema. His presence underscores the festival’s international status and affirms the importance of dialogue between Ukrainian and global film culture.
Steven Manas is an actor, director, and producer known for his work in international creative projects. His career combines acting excellence, directorial insight, and a strong sensitivity to modern screen formats, bringing to the jury a deep understanding of emotional authenticity and on-screen presence.
Valentin Opalev is a cultural and arts figure dedicated to supporting creative initiatives and fostering international cultural cooperation. His participation adds a strategic perspective on the role of art in society.
Oleksandra Smilyanska is engaged in creative, artistic, and communication projects. Her professional experience allows her to evaluate both the artistic quality of works and their relevance to contemporary audiences, bringing a nuanced and modern perspective to the jury.
Tetiana Lohush is a renowned cultural manager, publisher, patron, and intellectual whose contribution to the development of Ukraine’s cultural landscape is both significant and systemic. Her presence adds moral depth to the festival, emphasizing art’s responsibility to society and to time.
Volodymyr Filipov is a producer and media manager with extensive experience in film and television. His work is associated with large-scale projects, strategic market vision, and support for high-quality content, contributing a practical industry perspective to the jury.
Andrii Karpov is a Ukrainian actor, producer, and cultural figure actively involved in creative and charitable initiatives. His work highlights the vital connection between art and society and underscores the importance of supporting cultural and children’s projects in Ukraine.
Oleksandr Berezan represents the creative sector, with experience in cultural and artistic projects. As a jury member, he supports a high professional standard of evaluation, valuing not only technical excellence but also the social, artistic, and spiritual depth of film.
Mykola Martynenko is a cultural contributor who supports creative initiatives and participates in the dialogue surrounding contemporary Ukrainian art. His perspective brings attention to the meaningful content of artistic works and the importance of Ukraine’s cultural representation on the global stage.
Maryna Lazorenko is an executive television producer with nearly 20 years of industry experience. Since 2006, she has worked on large-scale television productions, specializing in format-driven reality and entertainment shows. Her portfolio includes major projects such as MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, The Bachelor-style formats, Supermama, and others, as well as large music productions like Star Factory. The projects she contributed to aired on leading Eastern European networks and received national awards, including Teletriumph for Best Format Show of the Year.
Meerim Dzhunushalieva is a digital producer, cultural project producer, and the author of a utility model titled “Device for Dynamic Macro Filming of Objects.” Her professional path lies at the intersection of media production, innovative visual technologies, and cultural communication. As a member of the jury, she represents a new generation of professionals for whom cinema, digital platforms, innovation, and cultural diplomacy form a unified contemporary media landscape.
During the evening gala event, the audience watched the series Beehive — a project by Ukrainian creators living in America. The evening’s creative atmosphere was enriched by performances from the Malhivski sisters, Ivanna Melay, and the Ukrainian Beauty fashion presentation by designer Sandra and Sabrina. The climax of the evening was the awards ceremony.
A separate and especially moving part of the festival was the charity auction, which featured a traditional Ukrainian korovai bread and paintings by Olena Yaremchuk and Yuliia Stelmakh. The funds raised were donated to the Protez Foundation, the U4UA children’s foundation, and the Maestri Air Bro School of unmanned systems.
Miami: A Festival That Won the Hearts of the Audience
In Miami, the festival was held for the fourth time at the Ashkaneli restaurant and brought together guests who care deeply about Ukrainian cinema, art, and charity. The central event of the evening was the screening of Taras Tomenko’s film Parajanov’s Planet, which sparked lively interest from the audience.
The main charitable purpose of the event was fundraising for the opening of a children’s theater studio in Bucha — a project by Ukrainian actor and producer Andrii Karpov. The evening’s special atmosphere was created by singer Tetiana Melamed, Crimean performer Fazile Ibragimova, and Kazakh designer Aidana Omarova, who also presented her new composition Business Woman.
The festival’s closing film, Parajanov’s Planet, became a symbolic and profound finale to the entire event. The film sounded like a reflection on creative freedom, the artist’s inner independence, and the power of culture to transcend time and borders.
The 11th Star Independent in Chicago and Miami once again proved that Ukrainian art in America is not merely surviving — it is developing, uniting the community, preserving memory, creating a space of solidarity, and confidently speaking to the world in the language of culture.
Winners of the 11th International Internet Film Festival Star Independent
The festival honored outstanding works across music videos, film, television, and digital media. Among the key winners were Forever by Andrii Pidluzhnyi (Grand Prix), Tell It by Ivanna Melay ft. Really Doe, and Dance With Me by Malgivski. Notable awards also went to UFO by Anatolii Matviichuk (animation), Main by Diana Kosheva (experimental), and BANDERAS directed by Zaza Buadze (feature film), alongside recognitions in documentary, social impact, and series categories.
Olena Koshevaya
Photo courtesy of the author
