TUFF 2025 Film Program
THURSDAY
Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
Under the Volcano -
Directed by Damian Kocur - 2024.
Drama. 102 minutes. Ukrainian and English with English subtitles.
Synopsis: A Ukrainian family spends the last day of their vacation in Tenerife, Spain. When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine strands them on the island, they must contend with isolation, duty, fear… and each other.
FRIDAY
Friday, April 25, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.
Viktor -
Directed by Olivier Sarbil - 2024.
Documentary. 91 minutes. Ukrainian and Russian with English subtitles (Open captions).
Synopsis: 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.
SATURDAY
Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 11:00 a.m. - Canadian Premier
Ride the Line - International Premiere
Directed by Ihor Volochii - 2024.
Documentary, 70 minutes, Ukrainian, Russian & English with subtitles.
Free screening: Courtesy Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Pay-What-You-Can, with all proceeds going to the Aid for Artists Fund.
In the darkest times, while being in the worst shape of their life, two desperate friends decide to cycle 1,500 km along the entire front line in Ukraine, through liberated villages and towns, with a charitable purpose. World premiere at the Kyiv International Film Festival Molodist.
TUFF 2023 donated festival proceeds to CUF's Aid for Artists Fund and we continue to support Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Thank you to all TUFF audience members and sponsors who have supported us, thereby enabling the creation of important films, like this one.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 2:00 p.m.
U Are the Universe -
Directed by Pavlo Ostrikov - 2024
Sci-Fi/Drama, 90 minutes, Ukrainian/French with English subtitles
Synopsis: 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.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 5:00 p.m.
Forever-Forever -
Directed by Anna Buryachkova - 2023.
Drama. 107 minutes. Ukrainian with English subtitles.
Synopsis: 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.
Notes: Drug use, sex and suicide.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 9:00 p.m.
Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story - Directed by Nate Pommer and Eric Weinrib - 2023.Documentary. 99 minutes. English and Ukrainian with English subtitles.
Synopsis: 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.
SUNDAY
Sunday, April 26, 2025 - 11:00 a.m.
Viktor Robot -
Directed by Anatoliy Lavrenishyn - 2020.
Animated Family Adventure. 75 minutes. Ukrainian with English subtitles.
Synopsis: Set in the distant future, this film follows Vika and her tiny robot companion as they embark on a thrilling quest to rescue her grandfather and restore an 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.
*Special pricing for children 14 years and younger: $14.
Thank you to Koota Ooma for sponsoring this film.
Sunday, April 27, 2025 - 1:30 p.m.
A Picture to Remember -
Directed by Olga Chernykh - 2023.
Documentary. 72 minutes. Russian and Ukrainian with English subtitles.
Synopsis: 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.
Sunday, April 27, 2025 - 4:30 p.m.
Porcelain War - Directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev - 2024.
Documentary. 87 minutes. Ukrainian with English subtitles.
Synopsis: 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. “Ukraine is like porcelain, easy to break yet impossible to destroy.” — Slava Leontyev.
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