This year, we are launching a new DOCU/CAMP format for teens, curated by filmmaker Olha Zhurba, a jury member of the DOCU/SHORTS and DOCU/UKRAINE competitions. Here’s an overview of the programme taking place during Docudays UA, along with details on how to take part.

We’re inviting teens aged 14–17 from across Ukraine who are currently living in Kyiv and are curious about cinema — whether you’re already passionate about it or just starting to explore. From 5 to 11 June, the programme will feature 13 sessions, including lectures on the history, theory, and ethics of documentary film, hands-on exercises, screenings from this year’s selection, and workshops with directors and cinematographers. Participation is free, and selected participants will also receive tickets to films from the Docudays UA programme.

The main theme of the DOCU/WORKSHOP is “Interviewing as a Way to Learn How to Listen and Build Empathy.”

The workshop will help you understand the value of interviews in cinema and the importance of ethics when working with documentary subjects. You’ll also discover how interviews can become a creative tool — and how they shape the preparation of a future film. Throughout the programme, you’ll try yourself in different roles: as an interviewer or as a documentary subject responding to questions. The material you record will be edited into a single film created during the workshop and later shared on Docudays UA social media.

The workshop is curated by filmmaker Olha Zhurba*, and features guest lecturers such as Olga Birzul — a film curator and the author of Ukraine’s first industry book on cinema for teenagers, Your Book About Cinema.

Olha Zhurba, 22nd Docudays UA awards ceremony. Photo: Nastya Telikova

“Documentary cinema fosters empathy, awareness, and attentiveness. This year’s programme is designed to help teenagers learn to notice and listen to other people. It is also about honesty and responsibility towards the people we document in films. Participants will try themselves both in the role of those behind the camera conducting interviews and as documentary subjects — people who are being asked questions,” said Olha Zhurba.

To join the workshop, please complete a short application form via the link by 20 May. We will select 10 participants from the applications received. The results of the open call will be announced on 1 June.