This year, the Competition received 33 applications comprising 67 stories about how the work of film clubs influences citizens and transforms their lives, fostering empathy and inspiring them to dream, take action, and drive change within their communities. Each of these stories highlights significance of the moderators' work, powerful impact of documentary films, as well as the atmosphere of trust and support that audiences find within the film clubs.

The Selection Committee thoroughly reviewed and discussed each application in order to identify the ten winners across the categories of public and closed screenings.

The official award ceremony took place on June 11, during the DOCU/CLUB Network Moderators' Conference in Kyiv.

Awarding of the Docudays UA film club at Izmail District Department No. 2 of the State Institution "Probation Center"

Liudmyla Yakymenko, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at Izmail District Department No. 2 State Institution “Probation Center” Branch in the Odesa region, shared a story of her working with a young man convicted of collaborationism. The shift in the worldview of Koliasyk, as he was affectionately called by the Probation Center staff, began after watching documentary films about the Euromaidan. These films helped him open up in conversation, encouraged to rethink his actions, and eventually led him to become an active volunteer at a local volunteer center. Another story of the film club’s impact, this time from the town of Kiliya, extends beyond work with probation clients. After several screenings of the film Language by director Serhiy Lysenko, the moderator started reflecting on how other segments of the local population perceive the Ukrainian language and its significance during wartime. Liudmyla Yakymenko discussed the film with volunteers, internally displaced persons, and schoolchildren, which ultimately resulted in the idea to open language courses at the volunteer center. Colleagues from the film club at the Lviv Municipal Library offered their support looking for Ukrainian authors’ books for course participants. Thanks to the dedication and solidarity among moderators, many Russian-speaking residents of Kiliya are now learning to communicate in Ukrainian.

Karina Shulga, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the State Institution “Shepetivka Correctional Colony (No. 98)” in the Khmelnytskyi region, shared a story about the changes that occurred in the life of one of the inmates, who had not spoken to his daughter for over five years. After watching the documentary My Happy Complicated Family by director Tessa Louise Pope, he discussed his situation with specialists. A month later, he shared happy news with the moderator: for the first time in many years, he had spoken with his daughter. “I’ve reconsidered so much in my life,” he said. “And I’ve come to believe that it’s possible to restore relationships if you truly want it.”

Awarding of the "Alternativa" film club at the NGO "Carpathian Human Rights Agency 'Vested'"

Maria Symkovych, moderator of the “Alternatyva” film club at the NGO “Carpathian Human Rights Agency ‘Vested’” in Uzhhorod, shared a story of positive changes in educational institutions following the screening of the documentary Young Plato by directors Neasa Ní Chianáin and Declan McGrath. This screening was organized for teaching staff within the network for educational institutions “My School.” Just several months after the screening, mandatory philosophy classes were introduced in the entire school. Teachers began incorporating discussion-based methods into their teaching, and the principal of one of the branches adopted the film’s morning ritual of greeting her students. The screening and subsequent discussion became a genuine catalyst for the professional development and inspiration of the educators, and one of the schools even proceeded to establish its own film club. 

Maria Tyshchuk, moderator of the “DocuMentalist” film club at the Bohun District Department of the State Institution “Probation Center” Branch in Zhytomyr, submitted to the Competition the story of Serhiy, a client convicted of collaborationism. As a result of targeted motivational work, and through the viewing and discussion of documentary films about the events of the Euromaidan, volunteerism, and the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Serhiy experienced a significant shift in his worldview and joined the volunteer movement. Reflecting on his transformation, Serhiy says: “There’s a strange irony in my life. I’ve been convicted for collaborationism, I am Russian-speaking, and yet I am currently a volunteer for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I don’t know how others perceive me, but I want to do something. These guys are fighting for us. And now I know for sure whose side I’m on.” Following the completion of his sentence, the Probation Center plans to sign a volunteer agreement with Serhiy so that he can use his own experience to motivate other people convicted of collaborationism to pursue change.

Awarding of the Docudays UA film club at the State Institution "Chortkiv Penitentiary Institution (No. 26)" in Ternopil region

Maria Symchak, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the State Institution “Chortkiv Penitentiary (No. 26)” in the Ternopil region, shared several stories illustrating the impact of documentary films on convicted individuals. Nataliya, who initially did not believe in changing her life and came to a screening out of curiosity, gradually became a leader among the other women. She now initiates additional discussions and helps others find hope. Ivan, too, was skeptical at first. He had been in the facility for several years. However, discussions of films helped him openly express thoughts and emotions he had long kept to himself. Within a few months, Ivan not only changed his attitude toward those around him, but also began actively supporting new participants of the film club. He now encourages others to join the discussions, shares his own experiences, and even assists in organizing events.

Awarding of the Docudays UA film club at the Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports of Chopovychi Settlement Council in Zhytomyr region

Natalia Chislina, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports of the Chopovychi Village Council in the Zhytomyr region, submitted to the Competition a story about the screening of the film The Shepherd by directors Lucien Roux and Mathias Joulaud in the remote village of Lyplyany. This village has no store, public transportation, street lighting, or recreational facilities, yet it does have a village library. Natalia shares: “Only 89 people live in the village. When we arrived there to screen the film, it became a significant event for the residents. Three generations came to watch it: grandparents, parents, and grandchildren. After the screening and discussion, the older villagers were inspired by the idea of holding joint meetings to pass on their experience to the younger generation.”

As a result, the Intergenerational Dialogue Club was created in Lyplyany. For nearly a year now, people have been gathering at the village library to share experiences, discuss local issues, plan solutions, organize community cleanups, exchange recipes, watch films together, and sing songs.

Awarding of the "Poza Prokatom" film club at the NGO "MEDIALAB

Tetyana Volkova, moderator of the “Poza prokatom” (Beyond Distribution) film club at the NGO “MEDIALAB” in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region, shared the outcomes of the advocacy campaign “Let’s Save the Rivers Together.” The local rivers Vovcha, Samara, Mala Tersa, and Ternivka face severe environmental challenges. Some are heavily polluted, others are silted or nearly dried up. After watching the documentary And Every River by director Olesya Morgunets-Isayenko, the film club's audience organized a youth-led community cleanup on the banks of the Vovcha River and, in collaboration with scientists, developed proposals for purification of water through fish stocking. “Our film screenings led to real change,” said Tetyana Volkova. “The city authorities included funding for the biomelioration program in their 2025 budget. A scientific conference ‘Let’s Save the Rivers of Pavlohrad Area Together’ was held on the ‘STEP Western Donbas Media’ website. In 2025, active participants of our screenings released more than two tonnes of juvenile fish into rivers and lakes of Pavlohrad.”

Awarding of the Docudays UA film club at the Central Ukrainian State House of Artistic and Technical Creativity in Kropyvnytskyi

Olena Arutyunian, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the Central Ukrainian State House of Artistic and Technical Creativity in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad region, shared stories of the film club’s young viewers. Hanna, a 9th-grade student, participated several times in the screenings and discussions of 89 Days, directed by Pavlo Dorohyi. Eventually, she proposed to her peers the idea of launching a monthly charity initiative to support internally displaced persons and Ukrainian soldiers. The Youth Center of the Kirovohrad region supported Hanna’s initiative. Today, youths bring toys and clothes for children, make crafts and sweets, sell them at events, and donate the proceeds to support troops in eastern Ukraine. Another screening, Giovanni and the Water Ballet by director Astrid Bussink, inspired high school student Yevhen to share his hobby, knitting, with his peers. To his great surprise, they supported him, and he now conducts knitting workshops at the city’s Youth Center.

Awarding of the "OVRUCHdim" film club at Pokaliv Lyceum of Ovruch City Council in Zhytomyr region

Yuliya Davydiuk, moderator of the “OVRUCHdim” film club at the Pokaliv Lyceum of the Ovruch Town Council in the Zhytomyr region, successfully implemented an advocacy campaign dedicated to preserving local cultural heritage. In addition to initiatives aimed at transferring the Vasylivska and Zaruchayivska churches under state protection and developing a historical and architectural plan for Ovruch to safeguard the town’s historic center, the film club also inspired the launch of a local history group at the Center for Children’s and Youth Creativity. Nineteen children are already studying the history of their native region, and a new group of young participants is expected to join at the start of the new academic year.

Vira Karpinska

Vira Karpinska, moderator of the Docudays UA film club at the Lviv Municipal Library, successfully implemented an advocacy project last year, which focused on integrating juvenile offenders into the sociocultural life of the community. The program she developed for working with teenagers has been actively adopted nationwide by librarians in cooperation with local probation centers. Earlier this year, the moderator from Lviv brought documentary film screenings to the “Quiet Center” residency in Kharkiv, where Ukrainian and international artists work on their projects while exploring the city. These meetings so captivated the viewers that they decided to establish a permanent film club for the residents of Kharkiv at the “Kosmofilm” drive-in cinema.

The DOCU/CLUB Network team thanks all moderators who submitted their stories to the Competition. We take pride in the changes that your work instilled in individuals and communities and look forward to more inspirational stories.

The development of the DOCU/CLUB Network is funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Fondation de France.

The opinions, conclusions or recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of respective governments or charitable organizations of these countries. The author(s) of this publication are solely responsible for its content.