In Dnipro, the 22nd Travelling Docudays UA International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival opened at the John McCain Library. This year, the audience also included residents of Mariupol, who for the fourth year in a row have been attending the festival events in the city after being forced to relocate from Mariupol due to the temporary occupation of the territory by Russia.

Before the full-scale invasion, the festival was traditionally held in Mariupol at the V. H. Korolenko Central Library. Now, despite new circumstances, the tradition continues in Dnipro, where festival screenings have become an important space for meetings, conversations, and collective reflection on reality.

Photo: by Daria Kozlovska

This year’s theme of the Docudays UA Travelling Festival, Rare Resource, is dedicated not only to natural or material resources but, above all, to people — Ukrainians, their resilience, unity, and humanity, which help to rebuild a society shattered by war.

Opening with a film that speaks in the voices of children of war

The festival in Dnipro opened with a screening of the short film How I Spent My Summer Holidays? by director Antonio Lukich. The film tells the story of schoolchildren who, on 1 September, share their memories of their summer — a summer during the full-scale invasion. Their voices sound simple and unpretentious, yet each word carries depth and strength.

Photo: watching the film How I Spent My Summer Holidays?, by Daria Kozlovska

After the screening, the audience discussed the film, shared their emotions, and joined a live connection with Chornomorsk in the Odesa Region, where the Travelling Docudays UA Festival was opening simultaneously.

“As it was said in the National Unity Radio Dictation, which I recently took part in — we must live! Here and now: attend events, communicate, go for walks, do everything that distracts from the everyday routine. And, of course, plan for the future and celebrate Victory. That’s my opinion!” shared viewer Kateryna Yakivna.

Photo: discussions and debates at the Traveling Docudays UA in Dnipro, by Daria Kozlovska

Cinema as a space of support and togetherness

The organisers emphasise that the Travelling Docudays UA is not just documentary film screenings but a living space for conversations about human rights, dignity, and solidarity. In this context, Kateryna Yakivna’s words became a natural continuation of the festival’s central theme: the value of life, even in the most difficult times.

From 5 to 15 November, Dnipro will host screenings of seven documentary films. The events will take place at various locations across the city, including the IAmMariupol. Dnipro centre and the IAmMariupol. Zatyshok social housing.

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.