Can cinema be a language of memory? Can it shape a country’s image thousands of miles away from home? And can Ukrainian culture in America not only be preserved, but actively create a new history? These very questions became central during the 11th Star Independent International Internet Film Festival, which this year launched its offline events in Chicago — the city with the largest Ukrainian community in the United States.
Chicago as a Point of Cultural Strength
Chicago has long been more than just a place where Ukrainians live — it is a center of active cultural, educational, and business life of the diaspora. It is here that Ukrainian cinema sounds especially powerful, because the audience does not simply watch — it lives through each story as its own.
A symbolic moment was the screening of the feature film “Call Sign Banderas” directed by Zaza Buadze, which took place on November 7 at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where Olena Yaremchuk, President and Founder of the festival, is currently studying. The choice of venue carried deep meaning: Ukrainian history, Ukrainian pain, and Ukrainian truth were voiced at the heart of the American academic community.
The Ukrainian Voice Through Art
The goal of the festival is not only to showcase films, but to introduce American and international audiences to the origins of the war, contemporary challenges, and the inner world of Ukrainians.
In 2024, the festival brought together more than 90 works, many of which were created by Ukrainian Americans — people living in the United States while remaining culturally and emotionally connected to Ukraine.
These include:
- social videos about what hurts;
- music videos about strength and loss;
- songs about fallen young soldiers;
- short films about fear, love, hope, and humanity.
A special place among documentary works was taken by “Antarctica. War Diaries” — the first days of the war against the breathtaking beauty of Antarctica, permeated with deep concern for the fate of the homeland.
Unity of Community and Business
In just two weeks of preparation, the festival in Chicago was supported by 40 companies. This demonstrates a high level of unity and an understanding that Ukrainian culture is an important component of the UkrainianAmerican business environment.
The festival also brought together works from Poland, Germany, Estonia, and other countries, highlighting the international dimension of Ukrainian cultural influence.
Humanity as the Central Theme
Despite the diversity of formats and genres, humanity became the central thread of every work. That is why the words of Vasyl Symonenko resonate so powerfully:
“Do you know that you are a human being?”
In times of darkness, light is seen most clearly. Ukrainian cinema today is exactly that light.
The Jury as Bearers of Cultural Responsibility
Each year, the jury of the Star Independent International Internet Film Festival includes representatives of the Ukrainian and global film elite — directors, screenwriters, producers, actors, and cultural figures whose professional reputation and experience shape the high standards of the festival.
In 2024, the Chair of the Jury was Oksana Osher (screenwriter, writer, Ukraine / USA), whose creative path and deep understanding of dramaturgy gave the festival a special intellectual and emotional dimension.
The jury also included Vadym Perelman (director, Ukraine / USA / Canada), Steven Manas (actor, composer, France / USA), Valentyn Opaliev (producer, Ukraine / USA), Oleksandra Smilyanska (screenwriter, Ukraine / USA), Tetiana Lohush (producer, Ukraine / USA), Volodymyr Filipov (producer, Ukraine), Andrii Karpov (actor, Ukraine), Oleksander Berezan (director, Ukraine / USA), and Mykola Martynenko (singer, cultural figure, Ukraine / USA).
The work of the jury is extremely important, as they not only evaluate artistic quality, but also define the cultural direction of the festival, supporting authors who speak about humanity, freedom, pain, hope, and identity. In times of war and global challenges, such expert evaluation becomes a form of cultural responsibility and a way to bring the Ukrainian voice to the international community.
The participation of a jury of this level strengthens trust in Star Independent and confirms its status as an international platform for dialogue, memory, and creative solidarity.
Gala Evening: Cinema, Fashion, and Charity
During the evening gala event, audiences watched the series “Beehive” — a project by Ukrainian artists currently living in America. The producer of the series is Serhii Wenger. The series tells the story of truck drivers, a community especially relevant to Chicago. It became an honest reflection of everyday reality, challenges, human stories, and the strength of character of the Ukrainian diaspora.
A special highlight of the evening was a creative segment featuring the Malgivski sisters and Ivanna Melay. Guests also enjoyed the fashion show “Ukrainian Beauty” by designer Sandra and Sabrina, which demonstrated a combination of contemporary aesthetics and national identity. The evening culminated in the award ceremony of the winners of the 11th Star Independent International Internet Film Festival, followed by a charity auction in support of Ukraine.
The auction lots included a traditional Ukrainian korovai, paintings by Olena Yaremchuk and Yuliia Stelmakh. All funds raised were donated to the Protez Charity Foundation, which provides prosthetics and rehabilitation for Ukrainian soldiers injured in the war, the U4UA Children’s Foundation, and the Maestri Air Bro Unmanned Systems School. Special thanks to our benefactor, Andrii Kulbachnyi.
Partners and Support
The opening of the 11th IIFF Star Independent Chicago was supported by:
- General Sponsors / Gold Sponsor: @abcorhh @chicagokentlaw @yaremchuk.group.
- Partners: @intellectualleadership @notary_miami @lotus.innovations @planetagroup @wenger_sergiy @vivaexpress.us | Truck Trailer Repair Team @zingcha.
- Sponsors: @thetravelattorney @the_secret_garden_chicago @ok.bakery__ @sandra_sabrinadresses | @moncherichitown @bodyworkschicago @heyday.eatery @sova.events @wenger.consulting @bstar_rental @kinomalyatko @thekomar @kinomalyatko @bstar_rental @anastasea_makeup @alveracouturechicago | @marzipan.
- Media Partners: @petrosorba @mariiatopolnytska_photografer @photostudio_mae @humani.films @urc_radio @radiouachicago.
- Social Partners: @rescue.now @urc_life @luminance.video.
WINNERS
11th Star Independent International Internet Film Festival
Music Videos
- Tell It — Ivanna Melay ft. Really Doe — Best Music Video;
- Forever — Andrii Pidluzhnyi — Grand Prix, Best Music Video;
- Dance With Me — Malgivski — Outstanding Dance Music Video;
- American Ukrainian — GREMO — Best Patriotic Video in Chicago;
- Peace in War — Yuliia Frants — Special Jury Award.
Children’s Music Videos
- Fly Away — MartA — Best Children’s Video in Ukraine;
- Gotham | Present Chronicles — Nora Polinha — Best Children’s Video in the USA;
- Feeling Good — Sophie Bastet — Best Children’s Video.
Children’s Social Videos
- Culture Against War — Viktoriia Zelenko — Outstanding Young Reporter.
Animation
- UFO — Anatolii Matviichuk — Best Animated Film.
Non-Traditional Art
Main — Diana Koshevoy — Best Non-Traditional Art Video.
Advertising
- We Are Soft. Happy. — Olena Akimova & Nobel Le — Best Commercial Video;
- Why So Many Caregivers Choose Abcor? — Abcor — Best American Commercial Video;
- WindowsWeatherGuard: When the World Got Loud — Alisa Wenger — Special Jury Award.
Social Impact Videos
- Protez Foundation — Yaroslav Savchak — Best Social Impact Video;
- United Ukrainian Culture Festival in Florida — REC USA — Best Social Impact Video.
Short Films
- The Perfect Friend — Serhii Aloshiechkyn — Best Actress: Anzhelika Petrovska;
- The Cake — Flame World Production — Outstanding Social Impact Film;
- BURDEN — Alex Hramakovskyi — Best Actor;
- Berehynia — Siia Titova — Best Ukrainian Social-Themed Short Film;
- Tender Ones Triumph — Francisco Bassignana — Best Foreign Film About Ukraine.
Series
- Beat, Heart, Beat — COSMOS AGENCY — Best Director: Dasha Trehubova; Best Actor: Oleksii Horbunov; Best Actress: Daria Leheida;
- BEEHIVE — Best Chicago Series.
Documentary Films
- The Story of Olena Yaremchuk — IMMIMENTARY — Best Contemporary Atmosphere;
- Antarctica: War Diaries — UP UA Studio — Best Visual Mastery;
- War in Ukraine: An Inside View — Mykhailo Hershtein — Best American-Ukrainian Film;
- A Sentimental Journey to Parajanov’s Planet — Taras Tomenko — Best Documentary Director.
Shows and Interviews
- The Time of Ukrainian Song — Andrii Pidluzhnyi — Best Art Program;
- No Filters: Alyona Alyona — URC Radio — Best Contemporary Atmosphere;
- Skrypin, Halan | Radio UA Chicago — Best Ukrainian-American Political Program.
Feature Films
- BANDERAS — dir. Zaza Buadze — Best Feature Film Director.
Closing Film
Special recognition goes to the closing film of the festival — “Parajanov’s Planet” directed by Taras Tomenko, which became a profound cultural event and a symbolic finale of the 11th Star Independent International Internet Film Festival.
The film is not only a cinematic portrait of a genius, but a subtle reflection on creative freedom, inner independence, and the power of culture to transcend borders and time. Parajanov’s Planet resonated as an intellectual and spiritual final chord, reminding us that Ukrainian cinema is a space of depth, memory, and global dialogue.
Conclusion
The film festival has come to an end, but its core mission continues — to preserve and amplify the Ukrainian voice in the world through the language of cinema, to support talent, and to unite the community around culture, memory, and humanity. The 11th Star Independent in Chicago once again proved that Ukrainian art in America not only exists — it evolves, shapes new history, and creates a space for solidarity and action.
We sincerely thank all participants, partners, sponsors, and audiences for their trust and support. The festival has concluded, but we eagerly await new works and powerful stories from our filmmakers at the 12th Star Independent International Internet Film Festival.
