Khayt is a fictional diary about the Ukrainian city of Mariupol in 2068, where a protagonist arrives to participate in an art residency. The traditional dance of khaytarma, practiced by Azov Greek minorities, is revived by the future underground electronic music scene of Mariupol in a drive to rediscover the local cultural life of the 2000s. Combining reels from the amateur online archive of DIY Azov Greek music videos with the reconsideration of khaytarma’s rhythmic structure by the Mavru Sproutsku Paromit music collective, Sashko Protyah nurtures an imaginary horizon of the peripheral Ukrainian city after the global anti-carbon revolution.

Festival Selections & Screenings:

Kinosaray Film Festival (Ukraine)

Winterthur International Short Film Festival (Switzerland)

Hungry Eyes Festival (Germany)

Samizdat Festival (Scotland, UK)

A former military barracks of the Wehrmacht now serves as a refugee camp for displaced Ukrainians. “Waking up in silence” accompanies the children on their journey, where their own history intertwines with that of the barracks. A moment between past and future, war and silence, departure and arrival, which paints a portrait of German past and present through the eyes of its young protagonists.

Awards:

Special Prize of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the Best Short Film at Berlinale (Germany)

Grand Prix National Competition at Kyiv International Short Film Festival (Ukraine)

Best German Film at Kurzfilmfestival Köln (Germany)

Main prize DOCU/Short UA at International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival Docudays UA (Ukraine)

Jury’s Grand Prize in International Selection at Poitiers Film Festival (France)

“Fortress Mariupol” is a footage film of video calls with the soldiers who were encircled at Azovstal in Mariupol. Throughout the siege, the director engages with fighters from the Azov regiment, creating poignant portraits that capture the challenging circumstances they face.. 

The film’s protagonist is Orest, a former liaison officer and now head of the Azov Regiment’s press service in Mariupol. Orest has been covering the situation in the city and at Azovstal since the beginning of the Russian invasion. The soldier returned from captivity in the fall of 2022.

Festival Selections & Screenings:

International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival Docudays UA (Ukraine)

International Independent Film Festival "Brukivka" (Ukraine)

Vision of Life" is a video art piece capturing the essence of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, in May 2022. The video contrasts the city's tranquility with the subtleties of war, revealing a paradoxical existence. As the sun sets, the city transforms into a nocturnal realm, adhering to strict light concealment after 11 PM. Using a thermal imager, the film unveils the concealed activities within this darkened landscape, showcasing the city's resilience and the persistence of life amidst challenging times. "Vision of Life" becomes a poignant testament to humanity's ability to adapt and endure even in the darkest hours.

Festival Selections & Screenings:

International Short Fim Festival 4:3 (Ukraine)

On February 24, 2022, a full-scale war was launched against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Men and women, driven by a strong sense of duty, volunteered to join the Armed Forces and Territorial Defense. The volunteer movement mobilized its efforts, establishing assistance centers for refugees in response to the urgent needs of the community. The protagonist, student Serhiy, volunteers daily at a humanitarian hub for IDPs in Uzhhorod, but feels guilty for not doing enough to win the war. Meanwhile, Serhii's friend, who has nowhere to live, comes to town.

Festival Selections & Screenings:

Early Bird International Student Film Festival (Bulgaria)

Lobo Fest - Festival Internacional de Filmes (Brasil)

Kyiv International Short Film Festival (Ukraine)

SHIFT Film Forum (Netherlands)

A young couple finds themselves isolated from the world for an entire night in a hotel room near the border. During this time, they make a pact not to discuss the ongoing war. Immersed in their intimate cocoon, they lose track of time, only realizing the arrival of morning, which compels them to confront the return to the harsh reality outside their private refuge.

Awards:

Best Short Film at Batumi International ArtHouse Film Festival (Georgia)

Best Short Film at Lichter Film Festival (Germany)

Ukrainian reality is divided into two periods - before and after the war. In the nationwide resistance, every citizen tries to be helpful. Ukrainians change professions and adapt to wartime needs. Sculptors fabricate anti-tank obstacles in their art workshops. Just like the Terracotta Army, silent figures of Ukrainian personalities, angels, Cossacks, and multiple copies of Jesus Christ are frozen in anticipation of new creations. 

Awards:

Best Documentary Short at Nashville Film Festival (USA)

Documentary Danzante Award at Huesca International Film Festival (Spain)

Best Short Doc at Rome Prisma Film Awards (Italy)

Short Film Awards, Special Mention at DOC NYC, New York's documentary festival (USA)

The author explores the harrowing experience of Russia's war against Ukraine, depicting the horrors faced, the subsequent return home, and the ongoing struggle with the lasting consequences posed by PTSD.

Festival Selections & Screenings:

Marano Ragazzi Spot Festival (Italy)

LINOLEUM Contemporary animation and media art festival (Ukraine)

International Independent Film Festival "Brukivka" (Ukraine)