Euro broadcasters strike doc deals with Organisation of Ukrainian Producers

Igor Storchak

Broadcasters across Europe have picked up documentaries from The Organisation of Ukrainian Producers (OUP), with HopeBahnhof. Berlin, A Home Lost, Mariupol. Unlost Hope and 9 Lives set to reach 20 countries across the continent.

Romania’s TVR is among broadcasters to have picked up A Home Lost and HopeBahnhof. Berlin, the latter of which will debut on the channel later this month.

Other deals have seen OUP shows sold into Poland, Ireland, Norway, Israel, Portugal, Spain, Estonia and Latvia, although details have not been confirmed.

The deals have been struck via OUP, which was founded in March by Ukrainian producers Volodymyr Borodianskyi, Daria Leygonie-Fialko, Alla Lypovetska, Marina Kvasova, Igor Storchak, Victor Mirskyi and Iryna Zaria.

Aside from the four shows produced to date, its slate also includes a further 10 documentaries and a feature film. All programming expllores the causes and consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war and to show how Ukrainians themselves see the conflict war.

The films are primarily aimed at a Western audience and are based on personal stories, with subsequent revenues being reinvested into future projects.

Igor Storchak, co-founder of OUP and Gingers Media, said: “In the last month, the market has shown a very good reaction to our films. Our original goal was to support Ukraine in its struggle, and we are happy that audiences in Europe and around the world have appreciated our efforts.

“This gives us hope for the success of the projects that are in production, particularly Against All Odds and a number of projects in development, such as Evolution Of Propaganda and World War Cyber.”

In addition to selling rights, OUP is also organising film screenings, with Mariupol. Unlost Hope last week debuting in the US.