[Thenth] HaFI residency guest: Valentina Zalevksa

This fall, we will welcome Ukrainian film curator Valentina Zalevksa as another Harun Farocki guest. Zalevska will pursue her ongoing research project from mid-October to the end of December 2023. Zalevska is also a co-founder of the Ukrainian Film Festival Berlin, which will take place in various cinemas across the city from October 25-29, 2023.

Valentina Zalveksa’s project with title “Decolonization and Remapping: Ukrainian Cinema in a Global Context” aims to illuminate the oeuvre of Ukrainian filmmakers, liberating it from the overshadowing influence of the predominantly hegemonic Soviet and Russian cinematic history. In doing so, this initiative seeks to embark on a comprehensive research journey, aiming to rediscover, locate, and meticulously scrutinize both individuals and narratives that have hitherto been relegated to the margins within the film history. By infusing these cinematic elements with a distinctive Ukrainian perspective and contextualization, the project aspires to engender a nuanced and holistic reevaluation of Ukrainian cinema.

Valentina Zalevska, holds degrees in Culture and Arts from Ukraine and Media Studies from the University of Nebraska, USA. Since 2009, she has been actively involved with the Lviv International Film Festival Wiz-Art in Ukraine, where she now serves as one of the programmers and festival curators. Zalevska has contributed significantly to the cultural and artistic landscape in Ukraine and abroad, collaborating with various film festivals in roles such as programmer, curator, and collaborator. Additionally, she has a background in film production. Currently based in Berlin, Zalevska manages the annual Ukrainian Film Festival in Berlin and operates her own initiative, Plivka Films, which focuses on curating and promoting films.

Credits
The residency has been made possible through the Matching Portal, a project of the Goethe-Institut and the German Federal Foreign Office in cooperation with Artists at Risk (AR) to sustainably strengthen the resilience of cultural and educational partners in Ukraine. goethe.de