Animagrad’s animated film, based on a Ukrainian fairytale, celebrates traditional Slavic music, costumes, and design, and will debut in over 80 countries this year.
Animagrad Animation Studio (The Stolen Princess) has just shared the international trailer and release details for Ukraine’s celebrated animated feature, Mavka. The Forest Song. The film’s animation draws inspiration from ancient Slavic traditions, rituals, ornaments, and patterns, and will hit global theaters and streaming services beginning this month.
The film, based on Ukranian poet Lesya Ukrainka’s fairytale drama “The Forest Song” and Slavic mythology, centers on Mavka, a Soul of the Forest, and its warden. When Mavka falls in love with the talented young musician Lukas, she must face the impossible choice between love and her duty as guardian to the Heart of the Forest.
Mavka. The Forest Song first drew international attention at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. It gained further acclaim as the only Ukrainian project selected for pitching at Cartoon Movie 2017 in Bordeaux. The project has since grown into the multi-platform IP--Mavka Universe.
On February 26, 2023, Italia Film, Muvi Cinemas, Film.ua Group, with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held a pre-release screening before its March 2 release across the Middle East (Bahrain; Qatar; Jordan; Kuwait; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Yemen), and North African countries (Algeria; Egypt; Libya; Morocco; Sudan; Tunisia; Western Sahara, and others). The feature premiered in Ukrainian theaters March 2, where it garnered 189,048 admissions, beating the first weekend of Avatar: The Way of the Water.
Upcoming 2023 Theatrical Global Release Dates
- Mar 29: France; Belgium
- April 6: New Zealand; Australia
- April 19: Netherlands
- April 20: Italy
- April 27: Croatia; Bosnia; Herzegovina; Albania; Macedonia; Kosovo
- May 4: Hungary; Portugal
- May 12: Romania
- June 29: Serbia; Montenegro
- July 14 Poland; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania
- August 25: Turkey
The following countries have acquired the rights to the animated feature and will announce their release dates soon: USA; Canada; South Korea; Mongolia; United Kingdom; Czech Republic; Slovakia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Latin American countries, and others.
“Our partners are attracted by the quality of animation, a universal story, a combination of drama and humor, and music,” says Evgeniy Drachov, head of FILM.UA Distribution. “Mavka. The Forest Song has all the makings of a family animation success, and sales in a large number of territories show that our opinion is shared by professionals all over the world. We hope that the audience will like Mavka. The Forest Song, because the story of love and struggle for one's world should resonate with people worldwide.”
Source: Animagrad Animation Studio
Whitney is a freelance writer focusing on VFX-driven fantasy film & TV as well as preschool animation.
