The 23rd Docudays UA International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival has announced its winners. However, Docudays UA does not end there: the winning films can be watched during the screening day, 12th June. Some recordings of the festival discussions will also be available as podcasts on Youtube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
This year, Docudays UA joins forces with ARTE, the leading European public broadcaster. ARTE has provided financial support for four awards and, together with the festival, established a prize for emerging producers.Fabrice Pauchalt, Head of Society and Culture at ARTE France, shared:
‘Documentary is an art, but it is also a tool against lies and disinformation. Through films, it creates relationships between people who don’t share the same realities. But first, the art of documentary is an art of resistance, an act of resistance. We learned it through the work you did with us, through Generation Ukraine and other films we invested in.
That’s why in ARTE we wanted to partner with Docudays UA and support the prize for the best Ukrainian film, the prize for the best editing, and establish prizes for best emerging producer for a feature and the best emerging producer for a short.
We are very proud and thankful to be with you. We thank you for what you give us, your films, your visions, your fights. ARTE is a European platform, and for us, Ukraine is obviously part of the same Europe. We know that a lot of filmmakers, women and men, are in the army now. Thank you for your service, thank you for your films. You are all fighting for us.’
We thank the jury for their work and congratulate the award winners!
MAIN PRIZE OF DOCU/WORLD COMPETITION 2026
Green Light, 2025, 101′
Austria
dir. Pavel Cuzuioc
We were deeply impressed by the harmony of form and subject in the winning film of the DOCU/WORLD competition. Its measured pace and compassionate attentiveness to its protagonists reflect the filmmaker’s profound commitment to portraying with dignity those whose lives have, for various reasons, become marked by relentless suffering and reduced, in their own words, to mere existence.
The film follows a psychiatrist who specialises in assisting people who choose euthanasia as a final solution to their pain. He sets out to analyse their medical history and listens to their life story, and when convinced of their full determination, he guides them through the legal procedures and final steps of assisted dying. In doing so, the film opens a thoughtful and nuanced conversation about the right to self-determination over one’s life, body, and mind as well as about society’s persistent lack of understanding of mental illness and its often underestimated impact on quality of life.
Moral, religious, legal, and psychological perspectives are presented with remarkable balance, while the diversity of the cases offers viewers a comprehensive and deeply human insight into the complex issue of euthanasia. For its sensitivity, clarity, and cinematic excellence, the Main Prize in the DOCU/WORLD Competition goes to Green Light, directed by Pavel Cuzuioc.
SPECIAL MENTION OF DOCU/WORLD COMPETITION 2026
Mailin, 2025, 87′
Argentina, France, Romania
dir. Marie Silvia Esteve
An impactful and painful story articulating a severely aching topic and problem in contemporary society – violence against women – is presented as a unique vision in a striking example of modern, creative documentary. Different and seemingly eclectic source materials – archives, court hearings, direct interviews, and almost video art visualisations – are intertwined into a fascinating and at the same time horrifying stream of unforgettable images that immerse the audience into the story of a woman. Her life – and the lives of many others – is scarred with abuse she experienced as a child from a Catholic priest, and with injustice as the court sets the abuser free. We were deeply touched by the director’s creative vision, which intensifies the strength of the story itself, and shocked by the devastating ending, which leaves a huge impact, anger, and will to fight, discuss, and help. The special mention in the DOCU/WORLD Competition goes to Mailin, directed by Marie Silvia Esteve.
MAIN PRIZE OF DOCU/UKRAINE COMPETITION 2026, SUPPORTED BY ARTE
Don’t Ask Me If I Killed, 2026, 104′
Romania, Netherlands, Germany, Ukraine
dir. Helena Maksyom
As a jury, we were unanimous in our belief that this year’s Docudays UA Main Prize should be awarded to a film and a filmmaker who disarmed us with such radical narrative honesty. Her warts-and-all account of being a serving female soldier in the Ukrainian army never shies away from presenting the difficult and often surprisingly mundane realities of being within a battalion. It is nuanced, compelling, and highly accomplished documentary storytelling that should be urgently seen by a wider international audience. The award goes to Helena Maksyom for Don’t Ask Me If I Killed.
SPECIAL MENTION OF DOCU/UKRAINE COMPETITION 2026
Where Everything Disappears, 2026, 88′
Ukraine, France
dir. Oleksandr Tkachenko
As a jury, we felt it was impossible to ignore the powerful effect, particularly within the final third of the film, of Oleksandr Tkachenko’s account of the harrowing impact of war upon his friend, cinematographer and serving soldier Dmytro Dokunov. This film crafts its own haunting portrait of a man who has been profoundly broken, both physically and emotionally, by his experiences on the frontlines of this Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It is a film that transcends the limitations of its form to communicate a profound truth about the human cost of war.
MAIN PRIZE OF DOCU/SHORT COMPETITION 2026
Pedro Tomás Explains the World, 2025, 5’29”
Spain
dir. Kornelijus Stučkus
In this beautifully conceived moment of pure cinema, a world is presented to us afresh, as if for the first time. In a Gran Canaria that has been profoundly reshaped by a volcanic eruption, we are introduced to an elderly man with a beautifully poetic relationship to the surrounding landscape. By simply naming elements close to him, the endearing figure of Pedro Tomas makes us see so much deeper into his small but infinitely fascinating world. This year’s DOCU/SHORT Main Award goes to Kornelijus Stučkus, Pedro Tomás Explains the World.
SPECIAL MENTION OF DOCU/SHORT COMPETITION 2026
Sequela, 2026, 15′
Ukraine
dir. Alla Mitiukova
This film erupts onto the screen with a savage sequence of emergencies that is unlike anything else that was present in this Shorts selection. From this ferocious opening, director Alla Mitiukova finds a careful intimacy with her main protagonist, an amputee soldier, through following his painstaking process of physical and mental recovery as he returns to his family and civilian life. Sequela is a Ukrainian short that will hopefully be discovered by a wider audience.
BEST EMERGING UKRAINIAN PRODUCER SUPPORTED BY ARTE
The Illusion of a Quiet Night, 2026, 70′
Ukraine
producer Dariia Zakharova
dir. Olha Chernykh
As a jury, we were once again unanimous in our belief that there was one film in which the producer’s role was vital and marked this emerging producer as a talent to nurture and reward. The logistics alone of bringing together filmed material from so many contributors from across Ukraine, with such compressed timelines, is testament to the incredible job that this producer has carried out. We are very pleased to give the ARTE Best Emerging Ukrainian Producer award to a thoroughly deserving individual, Dariia Zakharova for The Illusion of a Quiet Night.
BEST EMERGING UKRAINIAN PRODUCER (SHORT DOCUMENTARY), SUPPORTED BY ARTE
Sequela, 2026, 15′
Ukraine
producers Oleksii Yeroshenko, Kateryna Yahodka, Alla Mitiukova
dir. Alla Mitiukova
For the first time ever, the European cultural platform ARTE created an award to support the difficult job of producing a short in non-fiction. The jury decided to show support and appreciation to a team that worked in a collective way, driven by an enthusiastic, bold, and very structured approach on all fronts essential to the production: financing, making, delivery, and distributing. The result is a short that has a world premiere in Docudays UA, and that is set on a path to more exposure, impact, and public conversations on a very important topic for Ukraine today: the return of veterans into the civil life.
For the commitment to their artistic vision, the collectiveness of the collaboration, the openness in sharing the hurdles along the way, the ambition for the distribution, and the possible next steps as producers: we hope that this award will help the journey of the team of producers of Sequela (Oleksii Yeroshenko, Kateryna Yahodka, and Alla Mitiukova, production company – Spoluka Films).
Jury: Alexandre Marionneau, Fabrice Pauchalt
MAIN PRIZE OF RIGHTS NOW! COMPETITION 2026
The Promise, 2025, 115′
The Netherlands
dir. Daan Veldhuizen
There were so many strong and important films this year. Some had remarkable storytelling and direction; others opened up new topics. All were deeply moving. We landed on Papua because it combined so many qualities. It has wonderfully original, fresh storytelling. It also opened our eyes to a new issue. Deeply humane and yet also profoundly political, it’s rare for a film to incorporate so many levels, and with such wit and grace. The film kept us constantly surprised and on our toes: it was by turns informative, funny, dark, and always original.
SPECIAL MENTION OF RIGHTS NOW! COMPETITION 2026
If Pigeons Turned to Gold, 2026, 110′
Czech Republic, Slovakia
dir. Pepa Lubojacki
Human rights films are often associated with a very sombre tone. We loved how Pigeons used animation to transform the genre into something hallucinogenic, funny, and all the more powerful and tragic for it. It’s a sign that this genre can also be full of exciting and quirky stylistic innovation.
MAIN PRIZE OF ANDRIY MATROSOV AWARD 2026
Every year, the festival’s team rewards one film among the competition’s participants. The Andriy Matrosov Award has been founded by Docudays UA organisers in memory of Andriy Matrosov, the Festival’s producer, who died in a car accident on 16 February 2010.
Peace for Nina, 2026, 80′
Ukraine, Switzerland
dir. Jeanne Dovhych
This is a film of action and conviction, demonstrating profound empathy and remarkable endurance. It marks the passage of resistance and resilience since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2014.
For honouring the memory of the first heroes of the war for our independence and freedom, and for its sensitive and nuanced portrayal of the long struggle for justice, the Andriy Matrosov Award is presented to Peace for Nina.
MAIN PRIZE OF STUDENTS’ JURY PRIZE 2026
Do You Love Me, 2025, 75′
France, Germany, Lebanon, Qatar
dir. Lana Daher
For its extraordinary synthesis of form and content, illuminating the intersection of the collective and the personal, the imagined and the real, in the construction of national identity, memory, and trauma.
SPECIAL MENTION OF STUDENTS’ JURY PRIZE 2026
FLANA, 2025, 87′
Iraq, France, Qatar
dir. Zahraa Ghandour
For its powerful and layered portrayal of the tragedy of women, and for challenging deeply rooted, intergenerational marginalisation.
AUDIENCE AWARD 2026
Where Everything Disappears, 2026, 88′
Ukraine, France
dir. Oleksandr Tkachenko
VIKTOR ONYSKO MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST EDITING IN A UKRAINIAN DOCUMENTARY FILM, SUPPORTED BY ARTE
Don’t Ask Me If I Killed, 2026, 104′
Romania, Netherlands, Germany, Ukraine
dir. Helena Maksyom
For the sincerity of its authorship, masterful dramaturgy, and sensitive editing through which the reality of war pulses. For the ability to discover a clear inner form amid the chaos and darkness of the front line. Award in Memory of Viktor Onysko for Best Editing of a Ukrainian Film is presented to Svitlana Zaloga and Helena Maksyom for Don’t Ask Me If I Killed, a film that balances on the edge between a personal diary and a collective portrait of the resilience of Ukraine’s Defenders.
SPECIAL MENTION BY HROMADSKE RADIO
Omega, 2025, 82′, Ukraine
dir. Yuliia Orlenko
For its masterful documentary reflection on war through human experience, combining powerful dramaturgy, attentive direction, and a high standard of filmmaking, while focusing on people, their relationships, daily rituals, and the ability to preserve their sense of self during wartime.
DOCU/PRO: The winning projects of the RAW DOC 2025
The Suspilne Movlennia/Public Broadcasting Ukraine Award goes to the RAW DOC showcase project Fly, Fish, Fly (directors Tetiana Hanzha and Zoia Volk, producers Zoia Volk and Oksana Ivantsiv). The award includes financial support of UAH 65,000*.
*the funding — inclusive of taxes — is aimed at the final stage of documentary production. To receive it, participants must sign a one-year agreement granting Suspilne non-exclusive broadcasting rights across its TV and digital platforms in Ukraine).
For its delicate and compassionate depiction of trauma passed down through generations, and for its search for a path to healing through the voices of witnesses and survivors.
The Rough Cut Service Award is presented to It Will Happen (director Anna Mihunova, producer Andrii Korniienko).
The award consists of a complimentary consultation with Rough Cut Service’s team of leading European editing experts and documentary editing consultants.
The KINO42 Award is presented to Listening to the World (director Yelizaveta Smith, producers Eugene Rachkovsky, Olha Bregman).
The award provides an opportunity for the creative team to review the film’s rough cut in the KINO42 cinema.
The Documentary Association of Europe Award is presented to It Will Happen (director Anna Mihunova, producer Andrii Korniienko).
As part of the award, the project team will receive a professional consultation on the film’s international positioning and outreach strategy.
The 23rd Docudays UA is held with the financial support of the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, and the State Film Agency of Ukraine. The views, conclusions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the governments of these countries. The authors alone are responsible for the content of this publication.
