Distance to Independence | Vancouver

The Untold Story of How Ukrainian Canadians Helped Ukraine Gain Independence in 1991 Did you know that in 1991, a group of young Canadians and Americans of Ukrainian descent travelled across the Atlantic to help Ukraine break free from the Soviet Union? Akim Galimov, creator of the popular Ukrainian history project “Real History”, is coming to Canada with screenings of his new documentary “Distance to Independence”. Screening Details in Vancouver: 📅 Date: November 16, 2026 📍 Venue: VIFF Centre 📍 Address: 1181 Seymour Street,Vancouver, BC Canada,V6B 3M7 🕖 Doors Open: 5:30 PM 🕖 Screening Start: 6:00 PM Distance to Independence tells the little-known story of 80 Canadians and Americans of Ukrainian descent who travelled to Ukraine in the final months of the Soviet Union to support the independence movement in their ancestral homeland. They travelled across the country, distributed pro-independence leaflets in eastern and southern Ukraine, brought underground printing equipment from Canada, produced television ads, and spoke with local communities about independence and democracy ahead of the historic December 1, 1991 referendum. The documentary features rare archival footage from Ukraine and Canada in the early 1990s, including remarkable scenes of Donetsk in 1991. It also reveals how the Soviet KGB monitored the Canadian visitors and brings to light previously untold stories through firsthand accounts from those who were there. Beyond the events of 1991, Distance to Independence explores the role of Canada's Ukrainian diaspora in shaping Ukraine's modern history and the longstanding connections between the two countries. Join us for a special screening of Distance to Independence, followed by a discussion and Q&A with producers Akim Galimov and Anna Palenchuk.