The inaugural American Independence Film Festival was held in Kyiv in November 2011 under the patronage of the United States Embassy in Ukraine. According to the festival team, its main goal is not just to introduce Ukrainian audiences to American independent cinema but to also to explore the potential of great films to change the world around us and filmmakers’ ability to address the most urgent societal issues through art.
The film program of AIFF is a dynamic mix of feature and documentary films produced in the United States that demonstrate the power of independent thought and highlight the diversity of American values. It consists of three main sections: feature films, documentaries, and a retrospective focusing on the work of an outstanding American filmmaker or filmmaking team. For example, the program of #AIFFUA2024 included a Coen brothers retrospective. As of 2024, film screenings took place in three Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa.
In addition to film screenings, AIFF also has a parallel program that gives cinema-goers the opportunity to get an insight into the filmmaking process. It includes open lectures, panel discussions, and workshops where movie enthusiasts can learn more about how films are made and aspiring filmmakers can interact with accomplished professionals and get some valuable advice.
As a rule, movies are screened in their original language with Ukrainian subtitles. Parallel events are conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation into Ukrainian.
The 11th edition of AIFF, scheduled to be held from March 10 to 16, 2022, was canceled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, some films from the festival selection (C'mon C'mon and a series of Ukrainian short documentaries) were screened in Bucharest on April 16 as part of the Romanian edition of American Independent Film Festival.
American Independence Film Festival is not the only project run by the AIFF team. In 2013, AIFF founded Indie Lab with the support of the United States Embassy in Ukraine. Indi Lab is a filmmaking laboratory for aspiring filmmakers from across the country, which gives them the opportunity to complete short documentaries from the concept to the final cut with the help from experienced Ukrainian and American filmmakers.
Participation in Indie Lab is open to film students, amateur documentary filmmakers, and representatives of NGOs and civil society. During two yearly sessions, participants work on editing their documentaries under the tutelage of seasoned film editors, participate in individual consultations and group discussions, and attend film screenings and workshops. Each edition of Indie Lab results in the creation of 10 documentary shorts.
Photo: facebook.com/aiffua