film director, producer, writer

Volodymyr Mula

V olodymyr Mula was born in the town of Horodenka, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine, on October 22, 1989.

In June 2006, he graduated from the Horodenka Gymnasium with a gold medal. He then entered the Faculty of Physical Engineering at the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”. Six years later, Volodymyr Mula received a Master’s Degree in “Materials Science & Engineering”.

In September 2009, Volodymyr Mula founded a new Ukrainian-language online publication called TeleProstir. The website served as a platform for various forms of media content, including news, articles, and multimedia elements. The success and growth of TeleProstir later played a significant role in the establishment of a full-fledged production company named TeleProstir Studio.

In April 2011, Volodymyr Mula received his first accreditation for the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Düsseldorf, Germany. During this event, he took the initiative to launch live broadcast studios that provided prompt and up-to-date coverage of the popular international music festival. These live broadcasts significantly enhanced the event’s media coverage, keeping audiences informed about the latest developments, performances, and happenings throughout the Eurovision Song Contest.

In June 2014, Volodymyr Mula covered the FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, working for several media outlets, including the Ukrainian “1+1” TV channel, the TSN web portal, Lviv Radio, and Hromadske TV. This experience led to a more permanent collaboration with Hromadske TV, where he produced a full series of reports about Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, he created informative and entertaining series titled Baltic Countries and American Dream, likely showcasing various aspects of the Baltic region and exploring the dreams and aspirations of individuals in the American context.

In January 2015, Volodymyr Mula embarked on a personal project, creating a documentary film titled American Dream. He invested his own efforts and financed the project at his own expense, showcasing his passion and commitment to filmmaking. The positive reception and impact of American Dream encouraged him to continue his documentary work. The following year, he released a sequel titled The American Dream: In Search of the Truth.

In June and July 2016, Volodymyr Mula served as a special correspondent for BBC News Ukrainian during UEFA Euro 2016. Following this, in August of the same year, he covered the Summer Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Through his work as a special correspondent for both UEFA Euro 2016 and the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Volodymyr Mula made significant contributions to sports journalism, bringing the excitement of these international sporting events to audiences in Ukraine and beyond.

In February 2018, Volodymyr Mula took on the role of a reporter for ICTV, a major television network in Ukraine, during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Pursuit of a dream

In April 2018, Volodymyr Mula embarked on a project to create a documentary film celebrating the achievements of Ukrainians who had the remarkable distinction of winning the NHL Stanley Cup. The film, titled UKE, was named after the Ukrainian heritage of the players who accomplished this significant feat in the National Hockey League. The production faced challenges, particularly related to funding, which caused filming to be halted multiple times. Despite these obstacles, the Ukrainian State Film Agency provided support, enabling the project to continue. With the agency’s assistance, the film was completed and released in theaters across Ukraine on December 3, 2020. The documentary’s theme of highlighting Ukrainian athletes who achieved success on the international stage resonated strongly with audiences in Ukraine. Its release and subsequent success as the highest-grossing documentary in Ukraine underscored the public’s interest in stories celebrating the accomplishments of fellow Ukrainians. It is also notable that UKE is the first Ukrainian film available for viewing in its original language on four global platforms simultaneously: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube Movies & Shows.

On January 18, 2020, in Saint Louis, USA, movie director & producer Volodymyr Mula and “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky are holding a Ukrainian flag after the interview for the UKE documentary

Volodymyr Mula & Anne Applebaum

Volodymyr Mula & Chrystia Freeland

Volodymyr Mula & Lubomyr Romankiw

Volodymyr Mula & Kelly Hrudey

In September 2021, Volodymyr Mula was recognized for his outstanding contributions to cinematography, significant creative achievements, and high level of professional skill when he was awarded the prestigious title of “Honored Art Worker of Ukraine”. This title is a distinguished honor conferred by the Ukrainian president upon individuals who have made exceptional and noteworthy contributions to the arts and culture of Ukraine.

In December 2021, Volodymyr Mula successfully completed the production of Football Nation, a documentary film that explores the history and achievements of Ukraine’s National Football Team. The film was created with the support of the Ukrainian State Film Agency, highlighting the significance and recognition of the national team’s 30th anniversary.

In April 2022, Volodymyr Mula worked as a director and field producer on the documentary series titled We’re The Zoomers: Inside The World Of Today’s Teens for the CNA television network. In the project, four teens from China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Ukraine each define their own futures — on their own terms.

Turning a challenge into an opportunity is the mark of mastery. Recognize it in time, and you transform obstacles into stepping stones for success.

In August 2022, at the invitation of British director and producer Alex Gale, Volodymyr Mula joined the international documentary project Football Must Go On as a director and field producer for scenes filmed in Ukraine. This four-part documentary follows the captivating journey of “Shakhtar” Donetsk, a Ukrainian football club, as they compete in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League season against the constant backdrop of war. The series premiered on September 12, 2023, on the Paramount+ platform.

In June 2023, Volodymyr Mula joined Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy’s initiative and became an ambassador for the “Unbroken Sport” project.

In July 2023, the director was awarded the Volodymyr Bodenchuk Medal for “Sports and Journalism” in recognition of his significant contribution to the development of national sports journalism, professional excellence, and support for advancing Ukrainian sports, particularly football.

In January 2024, the book titled “Wayne Called Me” by Volodymyr Mula, which details the creation of the UKE documentary, was published in Ukraine.

In May 2024, at the 45th Sports Emmy® Awards ceremony at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City, the director received the highest U.S. television award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), the Emmy, in the “Outstanding Documentary Series – Serialized” category for the television documentary project Football Must Go On.

In September 2025, Volodymyr Mula officially presented his new documentary, The Interception Game, at the Odesa International Film Festival.

FILMS

DOCUMENTARY / TRAVEL

AMERICAN DREAM

This film is a compelling road movie that delves into the lives, daily struggles, and dreams of Ukrainians living in the United States. Through a journey across various American landscapes, the documentary captures the essence of what it means to be Ukrainian in a foreign land.
DOCUMENTARY / TRAVEL

AMERICAN DREAM. IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH

The stories of eight Ukrainians who had left their homeland and moved overseas in the pursuit of success. The film features singer Mika Newton, Hollywood actress Tetyana Rodyna & Major League Soccer champion Dema Kovalenko.
DOCUMENTARY / SPORTS

UKE | The Untold STORY OF HOCKEY LEGENDS

Delving into the lives of NHL legends, this is a fascinating story of making it to the top. From early days in the sport to their rise to fame, UKE celebrates the athletes of Ukrainian descent who have made a lasting impact on the sport.
DOCUMENTARY / SPORTS

FOOTBALL NATION

The documentary chronicles the birth, formation, and development of the Ukrainian National Football Team from 1992 to 2022, marking 30 years since the team’s first game in modern history.
DOCUMENTARY / SPORTS

FOOTBALL MUST GO ON

The documentary series “Football Must Go On” follows the captivating journey of @Shakhtar” Donetsk, a Ukrainian football club, as they compete in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League season against the constant backdrop of war.
The project won the 2023-2024 Sports Emmy Award in the category of “Outstanding Documentary Series – Serialized”.
DOCUMENTARY / SPORTS

THE INTERCEPTION GAME

A documentary about two Ukrainian brothers – one fights on the battlefield, the other on the football field – during the summer of the 2024 Paris Olympics.