Good afternoon everybody,

I'm very pleased to e able to represent Ambassador John Herbst and send you our best wishes at the launch of the Hollywood School of Ukraine.

Film is a medium that brings audiences together around the world in a way that few others can. In just a few minutes walk around Kyiv, you can see advertisements for movies from all over the world, representing a spectrum of cultures. Film is also the most direct and vivid means of storytelling available today.

The Hollywood Film School will bring together the expertise of Hollywood with the energy and creativity of young Ukrainian filmmakers. Ukraine has some wonderful stories to tell and this project will give Ukrainian filmmakers the skills to tell these stories.

I'd like to congratulate the founders of the Hollywood School of Ukraine on the start of this exciting new project. I'm also pleased to be able to welcome experienced director, Mr. Mark Travis to Kyiv and wish him an enjoyable and productive stay.