TRACES
POLISH TITLE: ŚLADY
Film shines a light on Ukrainian women who, after surviving conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and torture during Russia’s war, refuse to remain silent. Through the journey of Iryna Dovhan, a former captive turned activist, who documents testimonies of affected women on the de-occupied territories of Ukraine, the film weaves a collective portrait of trauma while opening space for hope. Iryna gathers other survivors into a circle of courage and care. Together, they transform their pain into a force for truth, justice, and mutual support. More than a document of war crimes, the film is a testament to resilience and the solidarity of women standing side by side.
- GENRE:
- documentary
- COUNTRY:
- Poland, Ukraine
- YEAR:
- 2026
- COLOUR:
- colour
- DIRECTING:
- Alisa Kovalenko, Marysia Nikitiuk
- SCRIPT:
- Alisa Kovalenko
- DOP:
- Alisa Kovalenko
- EDITOR:
- Milenia Fiedler, Alisa Kovalenko, Nikon Romanchenko
- MUSIC:
- Wojciech Frycz
- PRODUCTION:
- 2Brave Productions, Message Film
Alisa Kovalenko »
Alisa Kovalenko is an award-winning Ukrainian screenwriter and documentary film director,and a member of the European Film Academy and the Ukrainian Film Academy. She studiedat the National Film University in Kyiv and at the Wajda School in Warsaw.Alisa’s debut documentary, Alisa in Warland, had its world premiere at IDFA — the world’slargest documentary film festival — in Amsterdam in 2015. Her documentary Home Games,portraying a young Ukrainian football player, premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest, was selectedfor IDFA, and became the first Ukrainian creative documentary acquired by Netflix.Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Alisa joined the Ukrainian Volunteer Army. Shefought on the front line for several months before returning to complete her film We Will NotFade Away, which had its world premiere at Berlinale 2023 and was nominated for theBerlinale Documentary Award.After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Alisa joined the 5th Independent Battalion of theUkrainian Volunteer Army within the 2nd Motorized Brigade “Black Swans”.Selected filmography:2023 – Girl Away from Home — director2023 – We Will Not Fade Away — directorBerlinale 2023, nomination for the Berlinale Documentary Award2018 – Home Games — directorIDFA, Sheffield Doc/Fest2015 – Alisa in Warland — directorIDFA International Documentary Film Festival (Netherlands), world premiereFIDADOC Agadir, DocsMXFestival du Cinéma et des Droits de l’Homme de Paris & BarceloneMarysia Nikitiuk »
Marysia Nikitiuk has graduated from Kyiv Karpenko-Karyi National University. She has been writing scripts since 2012. Her short films were in programs of such festivals as Locarno, Clermont-Ferrand, Cairo IFF, TISFF, Golden Apricot. Her first feature film WHEN THE TREES FALL was premiered at 68th International Berlin Film Festival. In 2019 film EVGE by Nariman Aliev, Marysia co-wrote, was premiered in the Cannes Film Festival. Since April 2023, Marysia, together with the "Voices of Children" foundation, has been conducting storytelling courses with elements of art therapy for children and adolescents affected by thewar.Selected filmography:
2023 WHAT HAVE WE LOST 2022 LUCKY GIRL
2018 WHEN THE TREES FALL (Premiered at PANORAMA Berlinale).