In particular, the documentary project “Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole,” produced by Olena Saulich and directed by Tetiana Khodakivska, which they presented at the Co-Production Forum, was awarded the EWA Network’s Award for Equality & Inclusion, amounting to 500 euros. Additionally, the film’s producer received accreditation for the professional program for producers at the Cannes Film Market Producers’ Network. 

The project “Dad’s Lullaby,” in the final stages of production by director Lesia Diak, was awarded the HBO Europe Award, totaling 1000 euros. The film was presented in the Last Stop Trieste section. 

The short film project “Inaccessible” by Kyrylo Zemlyanyi won the HAVC & MIDPOINT Development Award, amounting to 3000 euros. This award was presented for the first time within the Shorts Showcase section. 

Producers Yulia Serdyukova, Olena Morentsova-Shulyk, Kateryna Ptashka, Olexandra Bratyshchenko, and Marina Sofiyichuk also participated in the Inspirational Labs. Anna Yaroshevych participated in the First Cut Lab. 

The When East Meets West Forum took place from January 21 to 24, 2024, in Trieste, Italy. 

The Trieste Film Festival is the leading Italian film festival dedicated to the cinema of Central and Eastern Europe. Since 2010, in addition to the official competition program and non-competitive sections, the festival has organized the When East Meets West forum, attracting film professionals from across Europe.