The 18th Travelling Docudays UA in Vinnytsia Region Has Ended

The 18th Travelling International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival Docudays UA has ended in Vinnytsia Region.

From December 10 to 17, 2021, residents of Vinnytsia Region watched documentary films and took part in discussions, roundtables and trainings. As in the previous year, most of the events took place online, which once again became a challenge, but also made it possible to involve people from different communities across the region.

The festival in Vinnytsia Region was organized by the civil society organizations: NGO “PRAVO”, NGO “Unique Country” and NGO “Podilskyi Centre for Social Technologies”.

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Online format and audience experience

Gradually, audiences in Vinnytsia Region are getting used not only to watching documentary films online, but also to discussing them in a shared space. For some participants, registration and technical access to the screenings remained difficult, but the organizers tried to support everyone who wanted to take part in the festival.

“Gradually, audiences in Vinnytsia Region are learning to watch and discuss documentary films online. There were difficulties with registration, but we tried to help every person who wanted to watch the films,” said Andrii Silchenko, civic activist from Zhmerynka and one of the regional coordinators of Docudays UA.

During the festival, 14 events took place, including film screenings, conversations, discussions and trainings.

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The festival theme — “Full Recovery”

The theme of the 18th Travelling Docudays UA — “Full Recovery” — became a cross-cutting topic in many discussions. The pandemic affected people’s lives and, at the same time, revealed problems related not only to the healthcare system, but also to labour, social protection, civic engagement, care and mutual responsibility.

During the discussion of the documentary film “Couriers, Not Heroes”, participants talked about informal employment, job instability and the vulnerability of people who provide essential everyday services, but often remain without proper protection.

The story of a mother and daughter in the film “Colombian Family” became a starting point for reflection on fatigue, responsibility and burnout, including within the Ukrainian civic movement. Films like this help us see that behind social processes there are always specific people, their relationships, choices and limits of endurance.

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“Together for Safe Childbirth!”

As part of the nationwide campaign by NGO “Docudays” “Together for Safe Childbirth!”, the documentary film “Invisible” was screened, followed by a discussion.

The film raised important issues related to women’s experiences during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, as well as dignity, informed consent, support and safety within the medical system.

“The film is good and sad. Why sad? Because it raises a very relevant problem. After domestic violence, this is an issue that affects every third woman. The stories of the women in the film are similar to Ukrainian ones,” says Olena Habriel, a civic activist from Turbiv and mother of two children.

Olena has childbirth experience with a 13-year gap between her children. In her opinion, the situation in Ukraine has improved, but problems still remain.

“When I gave birth for the second time, the midwife informed me and explained her actions. My husband was present, and I believe that saved my child’s life,” Olena recalls.

During the discussion, participants also talked about postpartum depression. The civic activist shared that she knows women who were unable to overcome this condition, and it significantly affected their later lives. In the film, art and professional support played an important role in helping the main character.

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Humanity, age and care

The documentary film “The Mole Agent” tells the story of everyday life in a home for older people. This touching story deeply resonated with viewers.

“Very sentimental — you forget that the film has a detective format. The humanity, sincerity and care of the staff are striking. Emotions overflow. It is deeply moving,” viewers wrote in the comments after the screening.

The discussion of this film became an opportunity to talk about attitudes toward older people, the quality of care, dignity in everyday life and the importance of humanity in social institutions.

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The festival as a space for conversations about human rights

The 18th Travelling Docudays UA in Vinnytsia Region once again showed that documentary cinema can be not only an artistic event, but also a tool for civic education. Films open up topics that are not easy to talk about, but it is through discussion, personal stories and shared viewing that a deeper understanding of human rights emerges.

For NGO “Unique Country”, participation in organizing the festival is part of our consistent educational work in the fields of human rights, democracy, responsible participation and community development.

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About Docudays UA

Docudays UA is the only international human rights documentary film festival in Ukraine. It is a member of the Human Rights Film Network and takes place annually in Kyiv during the last week of March.

After the Kyiv part of Docudays UA ends, the best films are traditionally presented in the regions of Ukraine during the Travelling Festival. This brings human rights documentary cinema closer to communities and creates space for dialogue in different cities, towns and villages across the country.

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Festival coordinators in Vinnytsia Region

• NGO “PRAVO”;
• NGO “Unique Country”;
• NGO “Podilskyi Centre for Social Technologies”.