The SUNNY BUNNY Queer Film Festival opens with a full house in Kyiv

Guests and the audience gathered at the “Zhovten” Cinema in Kyiv for the opening of SUNNY BUNNY-2024. This year, the second SUNNY BUNNY LGBTQIA+ Film Festival program includes 60 films from 35 countries, presented in 8 programs. Additionally, special screenings and educational events will take place throughout the festival. The opening movie of SUNNY BUNNY-2024 was Julio Torres' “Problemista,” in which the director plays the lead role alongside Tilda Swinton, Isabella Rossellini, Greta Lee, and rapper RZA.

The evening began with a minute of silence in memory of the fallen soldiers and civilians who became victims of Russian aggression.

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Following this solemn moment, the evening host, journalist, and Program Curator at the National Center “Ukrainian House,” Oleksii Ananov, invited the soldiers and representatives of the “LGBTQIA+ Military” Association to the stage. The audience greeted the defenders amidst tumultuous applause.

"The "Military LGBTQIA+" organization counts more than 400 members, but there are many more people like us in the Ukrainian army. We must support the draft law on civil partnerships, because, unfortunately, the reality is such that we, the military, also die and get injured. We need a law on civil partnerships because it will be another step towards the civilized world and another step away from Russia," said Oleh Zhabinets, a defender of Ukraine and member of the organization.

Taking the stage, Kostiantyn Omelia, Creative Director of the OMELIA brand, this year's fashion partner of the festival, announced a joint fundraiser for the needs of the “LGBTQIA+ Military” organization. Starting with a donation of 200 hryvnias, everyone has a chance to win an exclusive shirt from the designer.

At the ceremony, activists also seized the opportunity to rally public support for the “LGBTQIA+ Military” and to encourage signing a collective letter endorsing draft law #9103, which grants same-sex and opposite-sex couples the status of close relatives without requiring marriage. The initiative to collect signatures was launched by the public association platform "Rizni.Rivni," and the letter will be available for public signing throughout the festival at the Zhovten Cinema near the platform's booth.

“All Ukrainians need to have protection from hate crimes, be able to enter into civil partnerships, receive inheritance rights, have the opportunity to visit loved ones in hospitals and raise children regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. I want to remind you that everyone's voice is powerful. Therefore, I urge you to support draft laws 5488 on protection against hate crimes and 9103 on registered partnerships. Everyone can sign letters to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine that will remind MPs of how much we need this," emphasized Alina Korineva, Coordinator of the platform of public associations "Rizni.Rivni.”

Andriy Khalpakhchi, Honorary President of SUNNY BUNNY and Director General of the Molodist International Film Festival, was also invited to speak, sharing the history of SUNNY BUNNY:

"Even before “Sunny Bunny,” part of the Molodist Film Festival's program was the “Loving Differently” program. It is noteworthy that the festival was officially registered with the World Association of Film Producers in 1993. Already in 1994, we made the “10 Years of AIDS” film program, which became the prologue to “Sunny Bunny.” We made it together with the International Renaissance Foundation, and I am very grateful to the Foundation for remaining our partner over the years."

The festival’s opening ceremony concluded with a speech by Bohdan Zhuk, Director of SUNNY BUNNY. In his address, he expressed gratitude to the team that contributed to organizing the festival and to the audience who attended. Among the distinguished guests were Kostiantyn Omelia, Founder and Creative Director of the OMELIA fashion brand; blogger Sashko Drugli; Volodymyr Zavadiuk, Head of Production at Big Brave Events 1+1 Media; film critic Inna Gordeeva (@chechevitsaaa); as well as LGBTQIA+ military personnel, activists, and human rights defenders.

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Festival Partners:

Heinrich Böll Foundation

International Renaissance Foundation

The Embassy of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture in Ukraine

Ukrainian software company Appflame

Ukrainian State Film Agency

USAID «Transformation of Communications» project (TSA) - implementing innovative communication initiatives

Public organization Fulcrum UA

Platform of public associations Rizni.Rivni

Non-profit educational and preventive project Drugstore

Ukrainian-Danish Youth House