EFAD members unanimously agreed to accept the Ukrainian State Film Agency as new member during their General Assembly held in San Sebastian on 19 September. 
Following first contacts in Cannes, USFA submitted an official application during the Summer. USFA will join as associate member, a status for countries members of the Council of Europe but not from the EU.
 
“We are extremely happy to welcome our Ukrainian counterpart in EFAD. Since Cannes, we have not ceased to be in close contact, exploring all possible means to support Ukraine and its film community. USFA membership will be instrumental to strengthen the ties with European film agencies and establish common ground for stronger cooperation in the future”, declared Luis Chaby Vaz, EFAD President.
 
“We continue to explore the concrete ways to support the Ukrainian film industry, suffering so severely from the war. During our General Assembly, members discussed possible common collective actions", added Edith Sepp, EFAD Vice-President.
After having condemned the invasion of Ukraine and expressed its solidarity with the Ukrainian people (here), the EFAD association, as well as its members, have been taking concrete steps to provide support to Ukrainian film professionals either in Ukraine or in the countries where they found refuge. The association already made exceptional donations to the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk and Filmmakers for Ukraine.