The festival opening will begin with a screening of the documentary film Traces, directed by Alisa Kovalenko and Marysia Nikitiuk. The screening will be followed by a human rights discussion, “Hear, Understand, Support.”

The documentary film Traces tells the story of Ukrainian women seeking justice after surviving sexual violence and torture perpetrated during Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Going far beyond the direct documentation of war crimes, the film focuses on a community of women who have survived violence and refuse to remain silent about what they experienced.

Through the story of Iryna Dovhan, a former prisoner who became an activist and documents the testimonies of women affected by violence in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine, the film creates a collective portrait of trauma while also opening up space for recovery. Through the strength of women standing side by side in solidarity, the film offers a profound reflection on the possibility of hope amid the devastating traces left by war.

During the human rights discussion “Hear, Understand, Support,” we will talk about the role of society in supporting people who have experienced sexual violence during the war, the importance of responding sensitively to their experiences, and creating a safe space for recovery. We will also discuss the importance of documenting war crimes, preserving survivors’ testimonies, and how these testimonies can contribute to restoring justice.

Moderator — Larysa Holovko.

Content warning: depictions of violence.