The Travelling Docudays UA has finished its journey across the Chernihiv Region. This time the festival visited four as many as four localities: Kozelets, Ripky, Svitanok, and Horodnia. For each of the communities, these film screenings became not just a cultural event, but an opportunity to meet offline, share experiences, and talk about what matters.

“We were truly looking forward to this event, and it gave many good memories to all participants,” says Alina Vasiura from Svitanok. “For each of us, it is a wonderful opportunity to watch documentary films that are not publicly available — films that touch the heart and make you reflect.”

Svitanok and Horodnia: A film about childhood that continues despite the war

In Svitanok, the young audience chose to watch Antonio Lukich’s How I Spent My Summer Holidays?. For the viewers, the film became not just an introduction to documentary cinema, but a lesson in humanity and empathy.

“It was painful to watch how my peers were forced to spend the summer not by the sea or in a camp, but in shelters. I felt how similar we all are — we all want peace, calm, regular happiness. And I really want all children in Ukraine to spend their next summer holidays in peaceful times,” shares Volodymyr Levchenko.

Photo: viewing in Svitanok, by Alina Vasyura

The same film was also screened in Horodnia, a border town that was one of the first to face the enemy in February 2022.

“I have no words, only emotions,” says Alina Bystrevska. “The film feels as if it was made about us: we lived through occupation, the horrors of war, but we continue to stay at home, on our own land.”

Young people note that How I Spent My Summer Holidays? teaches them to understand others and to value simple things, reminding them that despite fears and losses, one must dream, plan, and hold on to faith in victory.

Kozelets: An open conversation about trust, boundaries, and dangers on the internet

In Kozelets, a screening of the film My Sextortion Diary by director Patricia Franquesa took place. The film evoked a wide range of emotions in the audience — from silence and laughter to deep reflection and sincere discussions after the screening.

“The film touched me a lot. It was truly emotional, at times even difficult, but important. After watching it, I felt the need to talk more with children about safety on the internet and about trust,” shares Nataliia. 

“Thank you to everyone who organised this meeting. It was warm, sincere, and genuinely useful!”

Photo: screening in Kozelets, by Halyna Poznia

After the film, guests discussed personal boundaries, psychological safety, and the difficult situations that teenagers may face online.

Ripky: A film about the war, choice, and the price of life

In Ripky, the festival presented the short film Where’s My Body Armor? by Daria Penkova, an honest and emotional story about Ukrainian military personnel, bureaucracy, and the everyday lives of people living right next to the war.

The film impressed the young audience with its sincerity and accuracy.

“After watching it, I realised that we must value life and the people around us. The film touches on such important topics as the right to life, safety, and freedom. Every frame conveys both the pain and the resilience of Ukrainians,” says Nelia Matsveiko.

Photo: screening in Ripky, by Viktoriia Rozsudovska

“This film once again reminds us that the war continues. And that one day the front line can be anywhere,” notes Snizhana Rozsudovska. “We saw the everyday life of the military personnel. The film made us think about the conditions they endure so that we can live at home. That is truly very valuable.”

Films that bring communities together

The Travelling Docudays UA screenings in the Chernihiv Region once again proved that documentary cinema is capable not only of telling stories, but also of creating a space for dialogue, support, and mutual understanding.

In Svitanok, Horodnia, Kozelets, and Ripky, these meetings became a way to feel united, to see one another, and to process difficult topics in a safe environment.

Where the war continues, such evenings remind us that humanity, community, and dialogue are also our rare resources which we should cherish.

Author: Olha Osadcha

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 opinions, conclusions or recommendations do not necessarily correspond to the views of the European Union, the governments or charities of these countries. Responsibility for the content of the publication lies solely on its authors.