Cinematography is an integral part of the cultural sector, whose development is determined not only by the volume of audiovisual production. Public policy in the field of cinema encompasses funding and competitive selection mechanisms, regulatory and legal frameworks, copyright and related rights, the activities of specialised institutions, the preservation of audiovisual heritage, and the conditions in which the professional community operates.

In 2022–2026, these issues were among the areas addressed by the Public Council at the Ukrainian State Film Agency. Tetiana Ilchuk, Co-Founder of the Ukrainian Media League, has been a member of the Public Council at the State Film Agency since the beginning of its current term.

An analysis of the Public Council’s activities at the State Film Agency during this period demonstrates a gradual expansion of its agenda – from individual procedural and regulatory issues to a comprehensive consideration of public policy in the field of cinematography.

Shaping the Agenda with Regard to the Position of the Professional Community

One of the functions of the Public Council is to facilitate public participation in the development and implementation of public policy in the field of cinematography, including the preparation of expert proposals, conclusions and analytical materials. In practice, this function is also implemented through the consideration of appeals and proposals from industry representatives.

In 2023, representatives of the professional community were involved in the discussion of the Cinema Development Strategy until 2027, and their written proposals were included in the meeting materials. The Public Council recommended continuing the public discussion and further development of the Strategy through expert working groups involving professionals, civil society organisations and Public Council representatives.

In July 2025, a regular mechanism for receiving appeals, initiatives and proposals from professional associations, civil society organisations, festivals, studios and other representatives of the sector was introduced. The established procedure provides for their consideration by the Public Council, while issues requiring a vote or public discussion may be placed on the Council’s agenda.

Thus, the work of the Public Council includes the collection, review and consolidation of professional proposals, followed by the development of recommendations, appeals, proposals for regulatory documents and other materials.

State Support: A Systematic Approach to Procedures

One of the continuing areas of work of the Public Council at the State Film Agency has been the improvement of state support mechanisms for cinematography.

In 2023, the Council considered issues related to the digitalisation of application procedures, the creation of an online platform for competitive selections, the updating of methodological recommendations and the regulatory framework, as well as the development of a methodology for evaluating project performance.

Thus, the focus was not limited to state support as a financial instrument, but also covered the organisation of the relevant processes: project submission procedures, evaluation criteria, methodological support and digital tools.

In 2025, the agenda included proposals for amendments to legislation on state support for cinematography and to the draft Cabinet of Ministers resolution concerning the creation of Ukrainian content. Experts representing the Public Council also participated in the relevant working group on amendments to the sector-specific legislation, presenting a consolidated position of the Council’s members.

Strategic Planning and Regulatory Framework

Strategic planning and regulatory frameworks are interrelated components of sector development.

When considering the Cinema Development Strategy until 2027, attention was paid not only to the substance of the document, but also to the process of its preparation: engagement of the professional community, expert review and further public discussion.

At the same time, the Public Council considered issues related to improving the regulatory and methodological framework in cinematography, competitive selection procedures and the functioning of specialised units within the State Film Agency.

Taken together, these areas form an interconnected system: strategic documents define priorities, legislation and subordinate regulations establish the rules, while the relevant procedures ensure the implementation of public policy.

Another area of the Public Council’s work is state funding for cinematography. In 2025, the Council addressed the issue of funding for cinematography in 2026. According to the Council’s report, relevant appeals were sent to five state institutions, including relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.

At the same time, the development of cinematography requires not only production funding but also the proper functioning of state institutions responsible for preserving cultural heritage. For example, in 2026, the Public Council considered issues related to the activities of Ukrkinochronika. In particular, an appeal was submitted to the Ministry of Culture concerning the situation surrounding the institution and issues related to its sectoral governance.

This area of work demonstrates the interdependence of two components of cultural policy: support for the creation of new cultural products and the preservation of the audiovisual heritage that has already been created.

Interinstitutional Cooperation and Stakeholder Engagement

Addressing issues in the field of cinematography requires interaction between different government bodies, specialised institutions and industry representatives.

In 2025, members of the Public Council participated in the work of specialised and interagency working groups, including those dealing with amendments to legislation on state support for cinematography. Certain issues were addressed in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the State Film Agency and other state institutions.

In 2026, at the initiative of the Council, a meeting was held involving representatives of the Verkhovna Rada, the Ministry of Economy, the State Film Agency, the Council for State Support of Cinematography, representatives of the film industry, media companies, civil society organisations and collective management organisations. The meeting focused on the system of remuneration for the use of audiovisual works, the activities of collective management organisations, and legislative and institutional mechanisms for protecting the rights and interests of authors, producers and rightsholders.

This format makes it possible to address issues simultaneously from regulatory, institutional and professional perspectives, involving the stakeholders directly engaged in the functioning of the sector.

An important area of focus was also copyright and related rights, which were considered within the framework of the interinstitutional meeting between government representatives and the film industry. The participants discussed mechanisms for collecting and distributing remuneration for the use of audiovisual works, the activities of collective management organisations, and the alignment of Ukrainian regulation with European approaches.

Practical Implementation of State Support Mechanisms

One of the pressing issues considered by the Public Council at the State Film Agency was the preparation and results of the film-sector component of the “Tysiachovesna” initiative – a state programme supporting Ukrainian cultural products, within which cinema was represented through separate areas.

At the stage of advancing to the final pitches, 290 fiction, 241 documentary and 129 children’s/animation projects proceeded to the next stage.

Given the broader discussion and a number of appeals concerning potential violations in the conduct of the competition, the Public Council will initiate the collection of proposals and comments regarding the current competition process and the planning of further competitive selections within the framework of “Tysiachovesna”.

This example demonstrates that the Council’s work concerns not only general approaches to state support, but also the practical implementation of specific competitive mechanisms.

Thus, the work of the Public Council encompasses interconnected levels of public policy in the field of cinematography: strategic planning, regulatory frameworks, funding, competitive procedures, institutional capacity, protection of rights and preservation of audiovisual heritage.

Its working model involves a sequence from receiving professional requests and expert review to consolidating proposals, engaging with government bodies, specialised institutions and sector stakeholders, and preparing recommendations, appeals and other documents for further institutional consideration.

In this context, cinema is viewed as a comprehensive area of cultural policy whose development depends on the alignment of financial, regulatory, institutional and professional mechanisms. The experience of the Public Council also demonstrates the importance of sustained participation by the professional community in reviewing and improving such mechanisms – from shaping strategic approaches to addressing their practical implementation.

 

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