Highlights of the 22nd Travelling Docudays UA in Vinnytsia Region

In November 2025, Vinnytsia Region hosted events of the 22nd Travelling International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival Docudays UA. Screenings, discussions and educational events took place in Zhmerynka, Vinnytsia and Bar, bringing people together around topics that are difficult to remain silent about: war, captivity, safety, growing up, dignity, freedom, responsibility and the right to be heard.

NGO “Unique Country” coordinated the festival events in Vinnytsia Region together with partners. For us, it is important that Docudays UA remains not only a cultural event, but also a space for civic education, shared experience, dialogue and a careful look at the reality in which we live.

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Docudays UA in Zhmerynka: two days of films that shift perspective

Two days of festival screenings took place at the NGO “Unique Country” HUB in Zhmerynka. The small space became a meeting place for stories that are impossible to watch indifferently, and for people ready to hear, discuss and experience these stories together.

Both days were moderated by psychologist and member of NGO “Unique Country” Svitlana Silchenko.

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Opening in Zhmerynka: a sanatorium against the backdrop of war

The festival in Zhmerynka opened on 22 November with a screening of “Sanatorium” by Irish documentary filmmaker Gar O’Rourke. In his debut feature-length film, he takes viewers to the Kuyalnyk sanatorium in southern Ukraine — a place where Soviet architecture, black healing mud and the daily work of staff coexist with the reality of the full-scale war.

The funny and, at the same time, tragic stories of the staff and visitors of this “island of recovery” near the front line made viewers reflect on how all of us are trying to live a “normal life” in an abnormal reality. The film has already been recognized by the documentary programme BBC Storyville.

After the screening, there was a lot of silence in the room — and a lot of words. Viewers shared that the film brought back their own memories of childhood sanatoriums, while also clearly reminding them: the war is here and now, even when we are drinking coffee, swimming in a pool or joking with our neighbours in the ward.

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War, memory, motherhood: stories from the first day

On the first day, viewers in Zhmerynka also watched three more films:

• “Where Is My Bulletproof Vest?” by Daria Penkova — the story of a young camera operator, Dasha, who returns from Germany to her home in frontline Druzhkivka. Her meeting with an old friend, who is now fighting in the war, reveals inner conflicts, responsibility and the price of negligence when soldiers’ lives are at stake.
• “My Golden Child” by Maarten De Schutter — a personal journey by the director into the memory of his mother, AIDS activist, feminist and anthropologist Martina de Schutter. The film touches on loss, maternal love and the ways we try to restore a connection with those who are no longer with us.
• “Witnesses. Captivity Kills” by Maryna Klonglevska and Tetiana Symon — one of the most painful films in the programme, a documentary testimony about the tragedy in Olenivka, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed.

The first day became a real emotional challenge. Many people had tears they could hardly hold back. Viewers said that after these stories they wanted to call their mothers, hug their loved ones and say “I love you” once again.

The themes of the front line, captivity and loss raised not only pain and helplessness, but also a deep love and gratitude to those who defend Ukraine. At one point, one of the participants noted that we have lived in tension and anxiety for so long that we forget what it is like to simply sit together in a warm room and watch a film without looking back at the sound of an air raid siren.

During the festival, it felt as if everything became quieter for a moment. And that silence created space to feel and reflect on what is happening to us.

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The second day in Zhmerynka: online safety, children, freedom and hope

On 23 November, Docudays UA in Zhmerynka continued with another rich and intense day. Despite power outages and the cold in the room, the screenings took place thanks to a generator — and once again gathered a full audience. The atmosphere was lively, attentive and trusting.

The programme opened with “My Sextortion Diary” by Patricia Franquesa. The story of Pati, who is blackmailed by an unknown hacker using her private files, became the basis for an important discussion about online safety, especially for children and teenagers.

Participants talked about “red flags” for parents, how to notice changes in a child’s behaviour, and how to speak about intimate topics in a way that protects rather than harms.

Viewers then watched:

• “The Last Song from Kabul” by Kevin Macdonald and Ruhi Hamid — the story of orphaned girls from Afghanistan for whom music became a way to fight for the right to a future.
• “How Was My Summer Vacation?” by Antonio Lukich — a warm, yet very honest story about Ukrainian teenagers who study, dream and fall in love in a country where an air raid siren may sound every day.
• “In the Heart of the Valley — Singing” by Nathan Fagan — a film about people who have lived in isolation for years and seek rescue in music and the power of imagination.
• “Paper Country” by Marion Boé — the story of lawyer Mélanie, who has been helping underage migrants in France for twenty years and, in effect, becomes their voice of justice within a complex system.
• “Witnesses. Captivity Kills” — a repeated screening in which viewers once again experienced the story of Olenivka, this time with a different emotional background after the previous films.

The second day continued an important conversation about human rights, dignity, freedom and responsibility. Participants shared that these stories do not let go immediately after the credits, but continue living in their thoughts for a long time — making them more attentive to themselves, their children and the people around them.

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Cinema as a space of togetherness

Both festival days in Zhmerynka showed that documentary cinema is not only about facts and events. It is also about trust, shared experience and the possibility to say aloud what hurts.

At the “Unique Country” HUB, people of different ages and experiences sat side by side: mothers and daughters, military families, teenagers, activists and internally displaced people. Some came for one film; others stayed until late in the evening.

After the screenings, viewers were in no hurry to leave: they drank tea, shared impressions, recalled personal stories, joked and supported one another.

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Vinnytsia: discussion with Maksym Butkevych

On 27 November 2025, one of the strongest events of the 22nd Travelling Docudays UA in Vinnytsia Region took place at the “Pobratym” Veterans’ Space in Vinnytsia — a screening and discussion of “Witnesses. Captivity Kills” with human rights defender, serviceman and festival ambassador Maksym Butkevych, who spent more than two years in Russian captivity.

The film documents the tragedy in Olenivka and tells the stories of those who survived or are waiting for their loved ones to return. For many viewers, this was their first experience of such an open and direct immersion into the topic of captivity. The room was filled with silence that turned into difficult questions, tears and long pauses before answers.

After the screening, Maksym Butkevych shared what he had experienced in captivity and what he is now trying to change. He emphasized that Russia deliberately ignores international humanitarian law, that the provisions of the Geneva Conventions are not being implemented, and that international organizations, including the ICRC, must respond to violations much more decisively.

“We must not fold our hands until justice is achieved. History knows many wars, and not all those guilty of crimes have been brought to justice. But we are obliged to try,” Maksym Butkevych emphasized.

The event was attended by veterans who also shared their experiences of war and captivity, as well as relatives of servicemen who are currently considered missing or are held in Russian captivity.

Particularly painful were the conversations about the cruelty and torture experienced by Ukrainian prisoners, the search for missing servicemen, and the lack of sufficiently transparent mechanisms that would allow families to quickly establish the fate of their loved ones.

Representatives of the “Pobratym” space exchanged contacts with Maksym Butkevych. Participants agreed to stay in touch and support one another where possible, particularly in matters related to the search for missing persons.

Military psychologist Nelia Kutsak highlighted an important point: it is not only servicemen and servicewomen who need to be prepared for return — society also needs to be prepared to receive people who have survived captivity, torture and the difficult experience of war.

The film and discussion helped civilians better understand what prisoners go through and why the process of reintegration is so complex and long-term.

This was not just a post-screening conversation. It was an encounter with a truth that is hard to hear, but impossible not to hear.

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Docudays UA in Bar: five days of films and trainings for young people

In the city of Bar, Vinnytsia Region, five days of film screenings and a series of educational events took place as part of the 22nd Travelling Docudays UA. Throughout the week, pupils, students, teachers and active young people in the community watched documentaries, discussed what they had seen and searched for answers to difficult questions about war, growing up and responsibility.

The events were moderated by civic activist and Chair of the Board of the Bari Community Foundation, Roman Mocharnyi.

Screenings took place at different locations across the Bar community — in educational institutions, a library and youth spaces. Regardless of the venue, the atmosphere remained focused, trusting and open.

This year, viewers in Bar watched two important films:

• “Where Is My Bulletproof Vest?” by Daria Penkova — the story of a young camera operator returning to frontline Druzhkivka and the complex inner conflicts faced by a person living close to war.
• “How Was My Summer Vacation?” by Antonio Lukich — a film about Ukrainian teenagers trying to study, dream and live an “ordinary” life to the sound of air raid sirens.

Both films evoked strong emotions and became the starting point for conversations about fear and courage, choice and responsibility, growing up and human resilience. Young people spoke about their own sense of safety and danger, and about how the war is changing their plans, dreams and ideas about the future.

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Trainings in the Bar community: participation and digital safety

Alongside the film screenings, two trainings for young people were held in the Bar community. They deepened the themes raised by the films and helped transform emotions into practical knowledge and skills.

At Bar Lyceum No. 3, Roman Mocharnyi led a training titled “Participatory Democracy”. Together with students, he explored how young people can influence changes in their own school and community, what participation tools are already available today, and how to turn an idea into a real initiative.

Work in small groups, discussions and practical tasks showed teenagers that their voice matters, and that participation in community life can begin right now — with school projects, youth councils and local initiatives.

The second training, “The Rare Resource of Trust: How to Stay Safe Online”, took place at Harmaky Gymnasium with a preschool unit of the Bar territorial community. Speaker Maryna Koval, coordinator of the Youth Bank of Initiatives, spoke with students about responsible behaviour online, risks in the digital environment, cyberbullying, online manipulation, and the importance of trust between children, parents and teachers when it comes to online experiences.

Young people actively joined the conversation, shared their own stories, asked questions and looked together for ways to support one another in difficult situations. The room developed an atmosphere of mutual support, where everyone could speak openly about their fears and doubts.

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A festival that strengthens communities

The events of the 22nd Travelling Docudays UA in Vinnytsia Region showed that documentary cinema and educational activities can be much more than a cultural programme lasting several days.

They develop critical thinking, help people speak about difficult topics of war, human rights, justice and safety, strengthen trust and mutual understanding between generations, amplify the voice of young people, and create a space of support for those living through difficult experiences.

For NGO “Unique Country”, it is important that Docudays UA in Vinnytsia Region is not only a festival, but also an impulse for further conversations and change — in families, communities, schools, veterans’ spaces and public life.

This is how, step by step, a community is formed that is able to hear one another, act together and defend its values even in times of great challenges.

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Festival support

The 22nd Travelling Docudays UA is held with the financial support of the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine and International Media Support.

The views, conclusions or recommendations expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, governments or charitable organizations of these countries. The authors are solely responsible for the content of this publication.