NEW YORK, NY (SMI-GLOBAL-ENTERTAINMENT JUNE 7-JUNE 18, 2023)-The Tribeca Festival concluded its 22nd annual edition in sensational style-after featuring over 250+ films (Feature, Viewpoints, Shorts, Documentary & Special screenings), and 600+ events (Audio Storytelling,Talks, Games, Music & others), during eleven days slate that included a diverse line-up of emerging talents and renowned storytellers from around the world.

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The winners of the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival Storytellers Competition winners were announced: 

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During the 11-days slate of the festival, Starlight Illustrated had the opportunity to attend or watch the Spotlight Documentary of " Comedy of War:Laughter in Ukraine and find our review below:

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" Comedy of War: Laughter in Ukraine " : is a comedy drama film directed by Christopher Walters where four Ukrainian's comedians get together and embark in a national tour around Ukraine to entertain its citizens and keep the positive spirit of a nation after being invaded by Russia.

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Cast: Anton Tymoshenko, Hanna Kochehura, Vasyl Byduck, Sasha Kachura

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Talk about two ends of the spectrum, a comedy show as your nation is invaded by the mighty

Russia. Should one be a male from the ages of 18-60, you may not leave Ukraine to better

support the war effort, if not actually fighting, this must be a difficult thing to do , comedy as

your contemporaries are off at war, many sadly dying for your nation. Seeking laughs as others

defend their lives, quite the position to be in. This is hardly lost on all in the film, it shows the

remains of bombings, results of uprisings, demonstrations, yet laughter may just be the best

medicine. It has been said that comedy comes from one’s experiences and from the truth, well

many of the truths of both may be made fun of. Here is a dangerous man heading the other

side and yes, he is fodder for laughter on many an occasion. This film does show the people of

Ukraine in normal day to day things, such as comedy shows, many for security reasons in

basement venues.