The Ukrainian World Congress and Yevhen Afineevsky launch a global initiative to protect Ukrainian children
The World Congress of Ukrainians (WCU) has announced a partnership with Oscar-nominated American film director of Ukrainian descent Yevgen Afineevsky to draw international attention to the tragedies of Ukrainian children affected by Russian aggression. This was reported on the official website of the WCU.
The collaboration is part of the global campaign "Stand With Ukraine. Protect Future Generations and centres around the documentary film Children on Fire, which tells the stories of eight Ukrainian children from Mariupol, Nova Kakhovka, Kharkiv and other regions. The film's protagonists survived occupation, deportation to Russia, captivity and serious injuries.
UWC President Paul Grod emphasised that the partnership with Afineevsky is of strategic importance, as it allows the world to remain focused on the fate of Ukrainian children even against the backdrop of a protracted war. The director himself noted that the film was his personal response to the pain and resilience of children who are forced to grow up in wartime, and a way to give them a voice on the international stage.
The film Children on Fire has already gained international recognition: it received two major awards at the 64th Monte Carlo Film Festival, a special jury award at the Raindance Film Festival in the United Kingdom, and was presented at the gala premiere of the 16th Odessa International Film Festival.
The UWC calls on Ukrainian communities abroad and partner organisations to join the campaign and organise screenings of the film, particularly on the eve of the anniversary of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation.
World Congress of Ukrainians, Yevhen Afineevsky, Children on Fire, war, documentary film
