On April 30, 2026, an online masterclass titled “Contemporary Cinema and Propaganda: How to Recognise Manipulation” was held as part of the activities of the Junior Academy of Design and Arts at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts. The event brought together over 90 participants, including lyceum students from Kharkiv and other cities across Ukraine.

The speaker of the event was Hennadii SHTAN, Academic Secretary of KSADA, Associate Professor at the Department of Cross-Cultural Practice Methodologies, PhD in History, and a researcher of propaganda who authored a specialised course on visual mechanisms of influence.

In an era where information warfare is a part of Ukraine’s modern reality, the development of critical thinking has become one of the key competencies for young people. Contemporary cinema and animation are not merely forms of entertainment but powerful tools capable of shaping perceptions, beliefs, and value systems.

During the masterclass, participants explored the mechanisms of propaganda in audiovisual art, particularly how it can be disguised as high-quality cultural content. Special attention was given to animation as an effective tool of manipulation, often targeting younger audiences.

During the practical session, participants analysed examples of modern Russian animation as a propaganda tool, focusing on their structure, visual language, and hidden messages. This allowed them not only to gain theoretical knowledge but also to develop practical skills in identifying manipulative techniques in modern cinema.

Events like these contribute to the development of media literacy among young people and strengthen their ability to critically evaluate information content and resist manipulative influence.