- January 13, 2026
- 3:31 pm
- Israel
“We held the premieres of this film in Israel a year ago. And now, due to numerous requests, we are doing a repeat screening. (Tickets and details to follow)” – write the organizers.
February 3, 2026 = Tel Aviv.
Remember: every ticket purchased is your contribution to the development of Ukrainian cinema!
You Are the Universe is the first Ukrainian science fiction film about space, love, and loneliness. In February 2026, its Israeli premiere took place in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
This film is important because it addresses themes of resilience and love, which are especially relevant today. At a time when Ukraine and Israel are waging a just defensive war against global terrorism in the form of Russia, Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorists, art helps maintain hope and unites people around the world.
Video from the screening in Haifa in 2025:
You Are the Universe: Love on the Edge of the Universe
You Are the Universe (Eng. U Are the Universe) is a 2024 Ukrainian science fiction tragicomedy directed by Pavlo Ostrikov, starring Volodymyr Kravchuk.
The film tells the story of Ukrainian space trucker Andriy Melnyk, from Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine), who has been traveling for two years on a space cargo ship to the nearest black hole.
Together with the onboard computer Maksym, whose task is to entertain the pilot, they must drop a container of nuclear waste into the abyss of the black hole.
However, suddenly Earth explodes, and Andriy becomes the only person in the Universe until he is contacted by a lab assistant from the French space station, Catherine.
Deciding to fly towards each other, they embark on a long journey lasting three long years, during which their hearts fill with love.
The world premiere of Pavlo Ostrikov’s Sci-Fi film You Are the Universe, created by ForeFilms in co-production with Ukraine and Belgium, took place as part of the official competition of the Toronto International Film Festival. The film has won many awards at film festivals in France, Italy, Germany, Greece.
The Ukrainian release of the film began in the spring of 2025, and audiences in Israel saw it earlier.
Box Office
During the first weekend of release (November 20–24, 2025), the film grossed 8.7 million hryvnias, and the number of viewers reached 47 thousand, making it one of the best starts of the season for Ukrainian cinema.
In two weeks of release, the film grossed 23.6 million UAH. The film was watched by 130,213 viewers.
By the end of the third week of release, Pavlo Ostrikov’s film grossed 37.7 million UAH in Ukraine, with the number of viewers reaching 208,683 people.
In six weeks, the film was watched by 304,809 viewers. The box office in Ukraine during this period amounted to 56.2 million UAH, while the film continues to hold in release.
Cast
- Volodymyr Kravchuk — trucker Andriy
- Leonid Popadko — onboard computer Maksym
The main role in the film was played by Volodymyr Kravchuk, who is a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His on-screen partner was the robot Maksym, voiced by Leonid Popadko (also serves in the army).
Crew
- Director: Pavlo Ostrikov
- Screenwriter: Pavlo Ostrikov
- Cinematographer: Nikita Kuzmenko
- Production Designer: Vladlen Odudenko
- Sound Director: Serhiy Stepansky
- Editor: Ivan Bannikov
- Costume Designer: Maria Kero
- Makeup Artist: Maria Pilunska
- Casting Director: Alla Samoylenko
- Producers: Volodymyr Yatsenko, Anna Yatsenko
- Executive Producer: Oleksandra Bratyshchenko
Awards
- 2024: Strasbourg Film Festival (France) — “Golden Octopus”
- 2024: Strasbourg Film Festival — “Silver Méliès”
- 2024: FilmFestival Cottbus (Germany) — Best Director Award
- 2024: Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Greece) — Best Acting Award
- 2024: Science+Fiction Festival (Italy) — Best Feature Film
Why Watch This Film?
- Original Plot: A fantastic story where reality and fiction intertwine in a tragicomedy about the meaning of life and love.
- International Recognition: The film was shown at festivals in Toronto, Strasbourg, Thessaloniki, and received several awards.
- Cultural Bridge: This is a rare opportunity for the Israeli audience to get acquainted with contemporary Ukrainian cinema.
Remember: every ticket purchased is your contribution to the development of Ukrainian cinema!
NAnews — News of Israel: On Cultural Ties Between Ukraine and Israel
Our website NAnews — News of Israel regularly covers cultural events that strengthen relations between Israelis and Ukrainians. This film is another step towards mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
Remember that every ticket purchased is your contribution to the development of Ukrainian cinema.
February 3, 2026 = Tel Aviv.
Follow updates on the organizer’s page in Israel – Created in Ukraine
