We continue our traditional behind-the-scenes look at the festival. What, for instance, lies behind our initiatives like Ukraine War Archive, RIGHTS NOW!, DOCU/SYNTHESIS, and DOCU/CLUB? Above all — tireless people who, despite sleepless nights, gather evidence of war crimes, organise human rights events, develop interdisciplinary works and research, and carry out advocacy campaigns. During the 22nd Docudays UA, you’ll have a great opportunity to learn more about their work and ideas through current discussions, workshops, screenings, and exhibitions.
Nastia Ankovych, Communications Manager of the Ukraine War Archive, the person you’ll meet at every arts event in Kyiv
How many hours do you sleep during your busiest work schedule? Or how much coffee and sweets do you consume in a day?
As many as our neighboring country allows (hysterical laughter), so it’s not hard to guess the daily coffee intake. In general, I try to sleep properly so that I don’t go in slow-mo mode doing basic tasks.
What inspires you in your work?
First of all, a great product — it’s always easiest to work with that. As for the festival, it’s the film selection — creative but also very audience-friendly cinema focused on human rights. The DOCU/SYNTHESIS programme is always exciting to follow, and the Ukraine War Archive is a genuinely high-tech project that brings together materials from various documentarians, media, and initiatives to preserve history and ensure justice. Even just our support in submitting to the International Criminal Court last year is a wow-result (and of course, a plug: follow us on social media to understand the context).
What rituals, activities, works, or guilty pleasures help you stay afloat during these times?
Actually, I don’t really have that issue — I stay afloat without them, haha! But to switch gears — during the festival I like to go see an interesting film, preferably from the DOCU/ART program, meet up with friends in the evening, take a walk through the now green and warm Kyiv, and sleep when possible, of course — it’s always a pleasure :)
Which films do you most recommend seeing at this year’s festival?
2,000 Meters to Andriivka by Mstyslav Chernov from the International Competition. I’m Not Everything I Want to Be by Klára Tasovská — can’t miss my favorite DOCU/ART program.
Valeriya Sheremet, Communications Manager of the Human Rights Department, left 2 kilograms of cat food in Chernihiv during the festival
How did you become part of the Docudays UA team?
My journey with Docudays UA began with the Travelling Festival in 2024 — I spent three incredible months with it, and when the project was nearing its end, I was invited to stay on with the Human Rights Department.
What should we expect from this year’s human rights program?
Our RIGHTS NOW! programme includes six days of important, in-depth discussions about human rights and dignity in times of war, democracy and justice, resistance, resilience, and the Ukrainian perspective. Leading human rights defenders and experts will take part in the conversations: Maksym Butkevych, Olha Reshetylova, Yevhen Hlibovytskyi, Olha Aivazovska, Liudmyla Huseinova, Maryana Betsa, Volodymyr Vyatrovych, and teams from the Center for Civil Liberties, the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, the Reckoning Project, and other respected civil society initiatives working toward democratic change and the development of civic society.
Which films do you most recommend seeing from the film program?
The film In Limbo by Ukrainian documentarian Alina Maksimenko from the National Competition, and My Sweet Child by Maarten De Schutter from the DOCU/WORLD programme.
Zakhar Manukhov, Resilient Communications Manager of the LAB: DOCU/SYNTHESIS x Ukraine War Archive Project
When is the busiest period of your work and why?
Since the LAB format involves a year-long process with a strict deadline, the pace has been constant and each stage brought its own challenges. Over the past year, we gathered participants, held an educational module and mentoring sessions, curated an exhibition, and presented the project at international festivals — too much to list. It was tough, but fascinating. I think our whole team pushed the boundaries of what we “know,” “can do,” and “are capable of.”
How many hours do you sleep during the most intense schedule?
Depends on my luck. I try to get at least 5 hours.
What inspires you in your work?
Art. It obviously matters — no need to elaborate. But during the full-scale invasion, I felt its weight more deeply. It lies in the meanings, answers, and support I found in works about the war over these past few years. I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt this.
What rituals, activities, works, or guilty pleasures help you stay afloat during these times?
Lately — and this might sound odd — music. I never used to associate myself with this art form in particular. But now I really enjoy listening to Cocteau Twins, where words are more like sound than meaning. “Beetles and eggs and blues and pour a little everything else” — total nonsense, but I keep listening to that song over and over again.
What should festival visitors look out for from the LAB?
I definitely invite you to visit the How We Remember exhibition during the festival. Personally, I find it important that it features 11 different works, viewpoints, and experiences. Each is valuable, and each was preserved as the author intended. This plurality and the opportunity to be heard seem especially vital right now. At the same time, I believe that archiving practices and artistic work will help us in the future.
Which films do you most recommend at this year’s festival?
Militantropos by Yelizaveta Smith, Alina Gorlova, and Simon Mozhovyi from DOCU/UKRAINE, and Fiume o Morte! by Igor Bezinović.
Olia Babchuk, Communications Manager of the DOCU/CLUB Network, hunter of stories and inspiration
How did you become part of the Docudays UA team?
Docudays has held a special place in my heart for a long time, because I’ve been going to screenings since the festival’s early days. I felt connected to these events as more than just an audience member, and when a spontaneous opportunity came from Nina Khoma to work in the DOCU/CLUB communications team, it felt like something that was meant to happen in my life. It was this utterly surreal feeling that our paths would cross one way or another. And after 20 years of such passionate love, we finally came together in shared work.
When is the busiest period of your work and why?
My “busiest period” never ends. The film clubs operate without breaks or holidays. In our management team, we get involved in advocacy projects that need coverage, provide consulting and training to moderators, participate in festival events, and organize separate promo events throughout the year.
How many hours do you sleep during your most intense schedule?
I’m very careful to maintain a sleep routine — no less than 6–7 hours. After my post-COVID experience, when I had serious sleep issues, I realized how crucial this is — I had to forget the wild days of youth when I could sleep just 2 hours a night and start building my schedule with self-care.
What inspires you in your work?
I’m inspired by our film club moderators. I genuinely admire them because their work is voluntary, they don’t get paid, yet they turn their clubs into hubs of active people and engaging community events.
When, after our interviews, moderators start recognizing the importance of their work, I get goosebumps — it’s a powerful internal drive that keeps me going without burning out.
What rituals, activities, works, or guilty pleasures help you stay afloat during these times?
This is truly a kindred profession for me, so I wouldn’t even use the term “stay afloat.” I love working with this team. But if we’re talking about restoring strength in general — I go to the forest. I give it my exhaustion and it gives me back energy.
Which films do you most recommend at this year’s festival?
That’s the hardest question :) How do you choose just one or two films from the whole lineup? I’m really looking forward to My Dear Théo by Alisa Kovalenko and Timestamp by Kateryna Hornostai.
Tata Husar, SMM-spark of the DOCU/CLUB Network, unforgettable volunteer
How did you become part of the Docudays UA team?
I first heard about Docudays UA back in 2014, during my studies in Kremenchuk, where I volunteered a bit for the Travelling Festival. In 2023–2024, I took time off to volunteer in Kyiv. I remember being anxious each time about whether I’d get selected. Almost right after the 21st Docudays UA, I joined the amazing and strong DOCU/CLUB Network team, which has been making festival films accessible to people across nearly every corner of Ukraine for over 10 years.
What inspires you in your work?
Our community, the volunteers, the team hugs. The smiles of our protagonists and guests, the friendly staff at Zhovten Cinema, and the dedication of our club moderators. Such passionate hearts are hard to find!
In my routine work with the Network, I come across a very telling symbol: the stickers on my keyboard are a bit worn out, so every time I type DOCU/CLUB, I have to make sure it doesn’t come out as DOCU/CLUN. But at the same time, I always think: we really are like a clan because we hold on to our people and support one another constantly.
What rituals, activities, works, or guilty pleasures help you stay afloat during these times?
I love switching to music and listening to it consciously, staying present while a track is playing. On particularly stressful days, I’ll put on arias from Carmen by Bizet and just watch the world go by. It really helps sharpen focus and regain attention.
What would you recommend watching at this year’s festival?
I’m in love with the opening film Sanatorium by Gar O’Rourke and the new short by Antonio Lukich How I Spent My Summer Holidays? from the DOCU/SHORTS program.
If you want, describe your route to the festival locations: how far do you live from Podil?
I still haven’t learned to plan travel time in Kyiv. So during the festival, I have a separate budget just for taxis. If you see a car near Zhovten Cinema and a girl with a bunch of necklaces jumping out of it — it’s most likely me. Come get a hug!
The 22nd Docudays UA is held with the financial support of the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, International Renaissance Foundation. The opinions, conclusions, or recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, the governments, or organisations of these countries. Responsibility for the content of the publication lies exclusively with the authors and editors of the publication.
