Ukrainian production powerhouse Film.UA has racked up a raft of deals at the Cannes Market, with “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” distributor ITN Films taking North American and Latin American rights to the forthcoming horror film “The Witch. Revenge,” and Germany’s Splendid Film snatching up rights to the anticipated live-action fantasy feature “Mavka. The True Myth.”
Set in Ukraine during its ongoing war with Russia, “The Witch. Revenge” follows an ancient witch who decides to exact revenge on the Russian soldiers who have occupied her city and brutally murdered her beloved, a mortal man. The first title from Film.UA’s “Heroines of Dark Times” horror line-up, the film has been a hit in Ukraine since its theatrical release.
The company also announced that Germany’s Splendid Film has acquired the rights to “Mavka. The True Myth,” the anticipated, live-action fantasy feature set in the “Mavka” mythical universe. Splendid Film will be releasing the movie theatrically in Germany and Benelux.
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The record-breaking animated feature “Mavka. The Forest Song” was released in nearly 150 countries and grossed more than $21 million worldwide, making it the most successful Ukrainian theatrical release of all time. In the latest chapter for the blockbuster IP, which is aimed at ages 12 and up, Mavka is reimagined as a dangerous and vengeful forest nymph drawn from ancient Ukrainian mythology. The film is currently in development. A 3D animated series, which is being developed as a prequel to the blockbuster film, is also in the works.
In other Film.UA deals, India’s Superfine Films acquired the rights to the upcoming zombie thriller “The Dam,” the next movie in the company’s expanding horror universe. Billed as the first Ukrainian zombie film, it follows a group of Ukrainian soldiers who discover a secret bunker where Soviet scientists used to perform experiments on innocent people — only to realize that it’s still populated with the ranks of the undead.
Finally, Portuguese telecommunications giant NOS has acquired the rights to “Puppies,” an offbeat romantic comedy about a woman afflicted with a strange curse that turns her lovers into dogs.
Commenting on the deals, Film.UA Distribution head of sales Evgeniy Drachov noted how the slate is a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian production outfit more than three years into the war with Russia. It also showcases that the company’s diverse range of content is striking a chord with foreign buyers.
“For us, it’s not just about producing high-quality content — it’s about ensuring it reaches audiences around the world,” he said.
