We distribute Ukrainian films and organize film events promoting Ukrainian cinema worldwide.
Who we are
We are a team with a broad background in festival organisation, film production and distribution.
Ukraine born and Berlin based, we are well connected to both Eastern and Western European film scene.
We endorse emerging filmmakers from Eastern Europe to find the funding and mentorship for their projects both in the pre- and post-production phase and promote independent cinema from Eastern Europe to the world market.
Team
Valentina Zalevska
Valentina is a co-founder of Plivka films. She holds degrees in Cinematography, Culture & Arts / Modern Languages from Lviv National University in Ukraine and studied Media in the USA (University of Nebraska). Valentina has been working at international film festivals in Ukraine and abroad as project coordinator, mainly responsible for industry events & program. From 2009 she is actively involved in Lviv International Short Film Festival Wiz-Art currently on the position of program coordinator. In her portfolio more than 100 organized events – film screenings, festival editions, film workshops, panels & discussions. Valentina produces & distributes short films. In 2020 she co-founded Ukrainian Film Festival Berlin. Fluent in Ukrainian, English, Spanish & Italian.
Ivanna Kozak
Ivanna is a co-founder of Plivka Films. She holds a Master degree in International Relations and Communication (Economical University in Prague) and completed the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris, a one-year postgraduate production programme at the Filmakademie Ludwigsburg, NFTS and La Femis. She started as production manager for Eallin Motion Art in Prague, this was followed by production work for United Vision in Berlin. After Atelier she was working as Junior Producer with Rohfilm Factory. Together with Ivan Zuber and Antoine Lietout she founded Laïdak Films in Berlin. In 2020 she co-founded together with Daria Buteiko and Valentina Zalevska Ukrainian Film Festival Berlin. Fluent in Czech, Ukrainian, German, English & French.
Ivan Paniotov
Ivan Panaiotov, a co-founder of Plivka Films, holds a Master's in International Management from the University of Cologne. With a background in accounting and auditing at KPMG, Ukraine, he took over financial operations at Plivka Films. Ivan is the chief financial officer of Plivka Films, bringing over 6 years of professional experience. Since 2023, he has also been working at the Ukrainian Film Festival Berlin being involved in financial management and film event organization. Fluent in Ukrainian, English, and proficient in German.