Docudays UA Festival Announced Winners 12.06.2026 17:50 Ukrinform The international documentary film festival on human rights Docudays UA has revealed its 2026 laureates.
As reported by Ukrinform, this information is available on the festival’s website.
The main award in the DOCU/WORLD competition went to the film
The film chronicles a psychiatrist specializing in assisting individuals who choose euthanasia as a final recourse to end their suffering. He examines their medical histories, listens to their life stories, and upon confirmation of their unwavering decision, guides them through the legal procedures and final stages of assisted departure from life.
In this manner, the film initiates a profound and sensitive dialogue not only on an individual’s right to self-determination concerning their own life, body, and consciousness but also on society’s persistent lack of understanding regarding mental health disorders and their often underestimated impact on the 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 pressing issue and one of the most serious challenges facing contemporary society – violence against women. This theme is explored as a unique authorial statement and a brilliant example of modern creative documentary filmmaking.
The main prize in the Docu/Ukraine competition was secured by the film
The jury unanimously concluded that the primary award in the competition should be granted to the film and its director, who captivated with their radical authorial honesty.
“The candid depiction of the experience of a female service member in the ranks of the Ukrainian army does not shy away from the complex and often surprisingly mundane realities of life within a battalion. The film stands out for its subtle observation, compelling narrative, and high level of documentary craftsmanship,” the jury noted.
A special mention in the Docu/Ukraine competition was received by the film
The film crafts a harrowing and unforgettable portrait of an individual profoundly broken—physically and emotionally—by their experiences 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 award in the Docu/Shorts competition was claimed by the film
The film was recognized for its ability to offer a fresh perspective on the world through simple observations, for its poetic quality, cinematic refinement, and the strength of the director’s vision.
A special mention in the Docu/Shorts competition was granted to the film
Daria Zakharova was named the best young Ukrainian producer for the film
Oleksiy Yeroshko, Kateryna Yagodka, and Alla Mityukova were recognized as the best young short film producers for the film
The main award in the Rights Now! competition went 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 introduces the viewer to a little-known context 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 Andriy Matrosov Award, established by the Docudays UA organizers in honor of Andriy Matrosov, a Festival producer who passed away in a car accident on February 16, 2010.
The award went to the film
The main prize from the student jury was awarded to the film
The special mention from the student jury was given to the film
The audience award was received by the film
The award for best editing of a Ukrainian film in memory of Viktor Onysko was presented to editing directors Svitlana Zaloga and Olena Maksym for the film
The award-winning films can be viewed on the audience day, June 12. Recordings of 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