United Content Hub, in partnership with Starlight Media, is launching production on a biopic about Olympic champion Olga Kharlan. The project, with a preliminary budget of UAH 60 million, is slated for a theatrical release in spring 2027. The team plans to partially finance production through the state program “Thousand Spring.”

The idea for the film first emerged in the summer of 2025. According to United Content Hub CEO Andrii Nohin, Kharlan had received multiple offers for adaptations in the past, but this project was the one that aligned a clear production vision with the story’s dramatic potential. The initiative also brought together Starlight Media’s Chief Content Officer Mariia Kostina and the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Vadym Hutzeit.

Several Ukrainian athletes were considered, but the team ultimately chose Kharlan for the strength of her central conflict—a critical component for narrative cinema. The focus is on the events of July 27, 2023: after defeating Russian fencer Anna Smirnova, Kharlan declined the traditional handshake. The incident sparked international backlash and contributed to changes in competition rules.

This moment serves as the film’s entry point, from which Kharlan’s life unfolds—from childhood to Olympic victories. The narrative will be structured across three timelines, with different actresses portraying Kharlan at various stages. Filming is set to begin in August 2026.

Negotiations with Kharlan lasted approximately six months, with the agreement signed in late November 2025. She is actively involved in shaping the factual framework of the film and oversees the accuracy of key moments from her personal story, while the production team retains control over casting and dramaturgy.

A dedicated focus has been placed on athletic authenticity. Producers intend to cast actresses with basic fencing skills to reduce the gap between real-life technique and its on-screen execution.

The film will be directed by Denys Tarasov, with a screenplay by Mariia Tkachuk. Distribution will be handled by B&H Film Distribution. Hollywood consultant Steve Kaplan—known for his work with writers on Friends and The Big Bang Theory—has joined the project to help structure the narrative for international audiences.

As of April 2026, the project remains in development: the script is complete, casting is underway, and additional interviews with key figures are being conducted.

Producers position the film as a drama about choice and inner resilience. According to Vadym Hutzeit, Kharlan’s story extends beyond sport, functioning as a case study in character under pressure.

Within the industry, sports biopics are seen as one of the most exportable genres. Pavlo Cherepin, co-founder of United Heroes Group, notes that a local story with strong dramaturgy and clear emotional logic can scale to global markets.

Beyond its cultural dimension, the team also sees a reputational objective: to illustrate how sport operates within a political context. In Ukraine, the film is expected to serve as a motivational tool for young athletes.

Financial projections remain conservative. Roman Romanchuk, CEO of the Multiplex cinema chain, estimates potential box office revenue at UAH 1.5–2 million, with the possibility of reaching UAH 7–8 million through media support.

The budget structure reflects the genre: approximately 70% is allocated to production, with an additional 20% directed toward CGI. Under the “Thousand Spring” program, the state may cover up to 80% of production costs, with the remainder financed by the producers.

At this stage, the project has no external investors. Should state funding not materialize, private capital is being considered as an alternative.

United Content Hub’s portfolio already includes examples of strong returns: a romantic comedy with a budget exceeding €600,000 delivered 110% ROI within six months. The Kharlan biopic represents an attempt to scale that experience into a more complex genre with international distribution potential.