The Docudays UA Festival Announced Winners 12.06.2026 17:50 Ukrinform The international human rights documentary film festival Docudays UA has announced its 2026 winners.
As Ukrinform reports, this is stated on the festival’s website.
The main prize of the DOCU/WORLD competition went to the film
The film tells the story of a psychiatrist specializing in assisting individuals who opt for euthanasia as a final means to end their suffering. He examines their medical history, listens to their life stories, and upon confirming their unalterable decision, guides them through the legal procedures and final stages of assisted departure from life.
In this way, the film initiates a profound and sensitive dialogue not only about an individual’s right to self-determination concerning their own life, body, and mind but also about society’s chronic misunderstanding of mental health disorders and their often-underestimated impact on quality of life.
A special mention in the Docu/World competition was awarded to the film
The film presents a striking and poignant narrative that addresses an extremely acute issue and one of the most serious problems in contemporary society – violence against women. This is explored through a unique authorial voice and serves as a vivid example of modern creative documentary filmmaking.
The main prize of the Docu/Ukraine competition was won by the film
The jury unanimously concluded that the main competition prize should be awarded to the film and director who captivated with their radical authorial honesty.
“The candid portrayal of the experience of a female soldier in the ranks of the Ukrainian army does not shy away from the complex and often unexpectedly mundane realities of life in a battalion. The film is distinguished by its subtlety of observation, compelling narrative, and high documentary craftsmanship,” noted the jury.
A special mention in the Docu/Ukraine competition was received by the film
The film creates a penetrating and unforgettable portrait of a person deeply broken – physically and emotionally – by the experiences endured on the front lines of the Russian war against Ukraine. Simultaneously, this story transcends individual experience, becoming a powerful testament to the human cost of war.
The main prize of the Docu/Shorts competition went to the film
The film was recognized for its ability to offer a new perspective on the world through simple observations, for its poetic quality, cinematic refinement, and the power of the author’s vision.
A special mention in the Docu/Shorts competition was awarded to the film
Daria Zakharova was named the best young Ukrainian producer for the film
Oleksiy Yeroshchenko, Kateryna Yahodka, and Alla Mityukova were recognized as the best young short film producers for the film
The main prize of the Rights Now! competition was awarded to the film
“Our choice fell on this film because it combines an exceptional number of merits. It is a fresh and original cinematic narrative that opens up a little-known context for the viewer while simultaneously offering a deep insight into complex social processes. The film is remarkably humane, yet acutely political,” the jury stated.
A special mention in the Rights Now! competition was awarded to the film “
Each year, the Docudays UA team presents an award to a selected film from the festival’s competition program. The Andrey Matrosov Award, established by the Docudays UA organizers in honor of Andrey Matrosov, a festival producer who tragically died in a car accident on February 16, 2010.
The award went to the film
The main prize of the student jury went to the film
The special mention of the student jury was awarded to the film
The Audience Award was given to the film
The award for best editing of a Ukrainian film in memory of Viktor Onysko was presented to montage directors Svitlana Zaloga and Olena Maksym for the film
The award-winning films can be viewed on Audience Day, June 12. Recordings of the discussions held at the festival will be available as podcasts on the Youtube channel, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
As Ukrinform reported, the Sunny Bunny film festival will present a Ukrainian retrospective focusing on the experiences of queer people in Ukraine at the “Zhovten” cinema.
Photo: flickr
Festival film