The Ukrainian media space has seen the release of the trailer for the documentary "Ash and Pencils" ("Попіл і олівці") directed by Evgeny Afineevsky, known for his film "Winter on Fire". The film is dedicated to eight Ukrainian children whose lives were fundamentally altered by Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian premiere of the film is scheduled for December 3, 2026, and until then, viewers can watch the trailer released on the Wave RBC.UA platform.
Stories That Change Everything
At the center of the documentary are the personal stories of children who survived Russian attacks, severe injuries, and forced deportation from their native country. Despite their traumatic experiences, each of the eight protagonists continues to dream, set goals, and envision a future where they can live without fear. The director emphasizes that the war robs children of a sense of security, forces them to experience loss, and irrevocably changes their lives, yet it does not cancel their right to their own dreams, development, and a peaceful future.
Documentary Footage and Animation as a Single Voice
Formally, the film combines documentary footage with animation created by Ukrainian artists. This technique allows the director to give a voice to children whose stories bear witness to the consequences of Russian aggression for the youngest Ukrainians. The animation component becomes a tool through which children can express what is difficult to put into words—fear, loss, but also resilience.
The Fates of Forcibly Removed Children
Special attention in "Ash and Pencils" is paid to the fates of Ukrainian children whom Russia forcibly removes from their homes. According to data presented in the film, some of them are placed in Russian foster families or kept in captivity, where attempts are made to alter their identity. This section of the film captures one of the most severe aspects of the war—the systematic violation of children's rights to a family, language, and cultural identity.
International Recognition: Three Prestigious Awards
The documentary has already gained recognition at several international film events. At the Raindance Film Festival in London, "Ash and Pencils" won the award for Best Documentary Feature. At the 64th Monte-Carlo Television Festival, the film received a Special Jury Prize in the News & Documentaries category, as well as the AMADE Award. Additionally, the film won the Most Valuable Documentary of the Year award from the Cinema for Peace Awards, an organization dedicated to human rights protection through cinema.
Distribution and Release Context
The Ukrainian theatrical release of the documentary starts on December 3, 2026. The release of the film takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing war and growing international interest in the protection of children in armed conflicts. The trailer, published on the Wave RBC.UA platform (a lifestyle project of RBC-Ukraine), is available for viewing ahead of the premiere and gives viewers their first glimpse into the visual and emotional language of the picture.
