TUFF 2025: Program Unveiled
We’re thrilled to announce that the Toronto Ukrainian Film Festival (TUFF) is back for its third annual edition, running April 24-27 at The Royal Theatre (608 College St.). This year’s festival brings together an outstanding lineup of award-winning films and documentaries that highlight the resilience, artistry, and spirit of Ukrainian filmmakers.
Thursday, April 24, 7 PM
Stranded in Tenerife as war erupts back home, a Ukrainian family faces isolation, fear, and buried tensions in this gripping drama from award-winning director Damian Kocur.
(2024 Drama, 102 minutes, Ukrainian/English with English subtitles)
Friday, April 25, 6 PM
A Deaf man in war-torn Kharkiv dreams of becoming a warrior but is denied at every turn. This striking documentary blends intimate storytelling with immersive sound design to reflect his world. Directed by Olivier Sarbil.
(2024 Documentary, 91 minutes, Ukrainian/Russian with English subtitles)
Friday, April 25, 9 PM
When her daughter vanishes under suspicious circumstances, a perfectionist architect must confront harsh truths—and seek help from the ex-husband she left behind. Directed by Taras Dron.
(2023 Drama, 99 minutes, Ukrainian with English subtitles)
Saturday, April 26, 2 PM
After Earth’s destruction, a lone Ukrainian space trucker embarks on a cosmic journey to find the only other survivor—an elusive French woman on a distant space station. Directed by Pavlo Ostrikov.
(2024 Sci-Fi/Drama, 90 minutes, Ukrainian/French with English subtitles)
FOREVER-FOREVER
Saturday, April 26, 5 PM
Set in late 1990s Kyiv, Forever-Forever is a raw portrait of a group of rebellious youth thrust into adulthood too soon, navigating the wreckage of the Soviet regime. Directed by Anna Buryachkova.
(2023 Drama. 107 minutes, Ukrainian with English subtitles)
Saturday, April 26, 9 PM
The electrifying rise of Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz—from his immigrant roots to punk rock fame and his defiant return to Ukraine during the war. Directed by Nate Pommer and Eric Weinrib.
(2023 Documentary, 99 minutes, English/Ukrainian with English subtitles)
Sunday, April 27, 11 AM
In the distant future, Vika and her tiny robot companion embark on a thrilling quest to rescue Vika’s grandfather and restore the artificial star that powers their universe. As they face obstacles along the way, their journey transforms from a simple mission into a powerful story of friendship, empathy, and teamwork. Directed by Anatoliy Lavrenishyn.
(2020 Animated Family Adventure, 75 minutes, Ukrainian with English subtitles)
Sunday, April 27, 1:30 PM
A deeply personal essay film tracing a Ukrainian family’s experience of war and loss in Donbas through the lens of three generations of women, offering a haunting reflection on memory and survival. Directed by Olga Chernykh.
(2023 Documentary, 72 minutes, Russian/Ukrainian with English subtitles)
Sunday, April 27, 4:30 PM
Winner of Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize, this stunning documentary follows three Ukrainian artists who stay behind, wielding their art, cameras, and guns to fight for their homeland. Directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev.
(2024 Documentary, 87 minutes, Ukrainian with English subtitles)
