Maryna Vroda

Maryna Anatoliivna Vroda (born 22 February 1982) is a Ukrainian film director and screenwriter.

Early life and education
Born on 22 February 1982, in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Maryna graduated from the Kyiv Secondary School No. 113, and later enrolled at the Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University and was awarded a degree in directing, in 2007. She went to seminars led by Valery Sivak and Mykhailo Ilyenko.

Career
Maryna collaborated with Sergei Loznitsa after graduating. International cinema festivals in both Eastern and Western Europe have screened her student films in 2008. She has produced a series of short films including "Forgive" (2003), "The Rain" (2007), "The Oath" (2007), and "Family Portrait" (2009). Her short film "Cross-Country" took home the 2011 Palme d'Or at Cannes. Vroda attended the Berlinale Talent Campus in 2010 and the Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg in 2016 to pursue a master's degree. It is her feature debut, "Stepne" (2023).

After accepting the Locarno Critics' Prize and Best Director Award, Maryna presented her idea for the film to the Seminci before going in front of the public. According to her, "Stepne" is an emotion that came from the "feeling that she had lost a country," Ukraine, and it is what motivated her to "return home." In November 2023, her film "Stepne" takes home the Best Feature award at Scanorama. At Italy's 35th Trieste International Film Festival, Maryna's film "Stepne" won an award. Her debut movie was recognized by the jury for its moving portrayal of a collapsing nation, which skillfully combined sweetness with sincerity to explore themes of suffering and dashed dreams.

Political positions
Maryna declined the Kinoshock film festival award in September 2015 to show her support for Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who is imprisoned in Russia. She backed an open letter sent in June 2018 to international leaders by lawmakers, human rights advocates, and cultural leaders urging them to stand up for Sentsov and other political prisoners.

Personal life
Maryna presently splits her time between Berlin and Kyiv. Her grandpa, who was incarcerated by the German troops during the Second World War.

Awards and recognitions
On the Day of Ukrainian Cinema, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree (No.465/2023) naming Maryna as the Honored Artist of Ukraine and bestowing state medals to notable cinema professionals.