The winner of the second of three open calls within the proMOTION 2026 programme is a film whose team will receive international promotion support amounting to 8,000 euros. 

The selection committee behind the projects evaluation included Sergio García de Leániz, Project Manager at Eurimages, curator of the Promotion Programme, Simone Baumann, producer, Managing Director of German Films, Mark Edwards, producer, media consultant and Director of Documentaries in Europe at Netflix (2021–2024), Iryna Kyporenko, Head of the Film Department at the Ukrainian Institute, Anastasiya Volkova, Head of Arts Programmes at the Ukrainian Institute. 

The selected project is: 

• Demons, Director Natalka Vorozhbyt, producers Yurii Minzianov, Dmytro Minzianov (Kristi Films), Denys Ivanov (Arthouse Traffic), co-producers Dariusz Jabłoński, Violetta Kamińska, Izabela Wójcik (Apple Film Production), Magdalena Zimecka (Orka) (Ukraine, Poland) 

Set in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Demons follows the charismatic Nina, who takes in a Russian drifter claiming to be a writer. She hopes to start a new life with him, but the mystical lands of Ukraine’s Poltava region—where witches live alongside ordinary people and the dead speak to the living—gradually reveal the true nature of her lover. 

The lead role is performed by Ruslana Pysanka, for whom Demons became her final screen appearance. The acclaimed stage and screen actress passed away in July 2022. She was best known for her performances in Moskal-Charivnyk, With Fire and Sword, and Taxi for an Angel. 

The film will have its world premiere at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, taking place from 5 to 15 August. 

In 2026, the Ukrainian Institute continues to implement the proMOTION programme in collaboration with Eurimages, the cultural support fund of the Council of Europe. 

Throughout the year, at least seven film projects will be selected to receive up to 8,000 euros for their promotion abroad. The projects selected in the first open call were The Illusion of a Quiet Night, Peace for Nina, and Time Machine Maidan. 

Film projects not selected in the first and second open calls may be submitted to the third open call, which will take place before the end of 2026.