Andrii Isaienko

Animals in War is a poignant anthology film inspired by true stories of animals impacted by the war in Ukraine. A collaboration between Ukrainian and international artists — including actor and activist Sean Penn — the film is a haunting yet captivating call for global awareness and empathy.

Anton is alone in a bunker on the front line when the entrance is hit and the bunker collapses. The soldier is trapped. All the initial optimistic efforts to escape the situation are hopeless. Attempts to establish radio communication with the outside world do not succeed. Fortunately, there is water, food, batteries, but it is becoming increasingly clear that... Then a companion comes from somewhere, a rat. Is this little creature the last living soul to witness the end of Anton?

The film tells the story of a Ukrainian woman who has lived in occupation for 10 years, where not only has her brain been completely washed, but she has also become a preacher of sick ideas and fakes about Ukraine herself. According to the plot, due to unforeseen circumstances, the heroine ends up in Western Ukraine, where reality turns her world upside down.

By chance, on Christmas Eve, completely different passengers with their own problems and dreams board the same train, and now they all have to arrange Christmas dinner right in the dining car. While waiting for the first star, all the passengers come together as one big Ukrainian family. And miracles begin to happen.

Kharkiv, the 1930s. The heyday of Ukrainian art. Ambitious young poet Vladimir Akimov happily settles in at the new luxury "Slovo" House built specifically for artists. He comes from the provinces and works as a proof-reader in a printing press, and has never even dreamed of living under one roof with prominent Ukrainian writers and artists. He thinks his own poetry is genius, but nobody takes his literary efforts seriously, not to mention the occasional chuckles over his epigone poems. But fate smiles at him. The head of the political intelligence agency suggests that he become the author of a play written earlier. Akimov agrees, signing a non- disclosure note. The poet has no idea what price he will pay for this success. “‘Slovo’ House” is a story about a generation of Ukrainian artists persecuted by the totalitarian system, unfolding against the backdrop of one of the largest genocides of the 20th century: the Holodomor, which caused the death of almost 7 million people.

A story about relationships between children and adults broken by shaky 1990s in Ukraine. The boy Tymophii befriends a weird man named Felix. He's the veteran of Afghan war, he has PTSD and he loves music.

December 31st Express was supposed to be an ordinary, quiet rail run, at least that's what conductor Mykola Ivanovych thought. However, a comically chaotic group of passengers including a runaway bride and angry accountant upset a retiring train conductor's peaceful last journey.

The fun-loving Drahomanovs and the straight-laced Nalyvaichenkos battle for the same picnic spot — and deal with an additional unwanted guest.

Immortalised as one of the most scintillating and uplifting Christmas songs, 'Carol of the Bells' adapted from a popular and loved Ukrainian folk melody, came to represent the spirit of brotherhood and unity all over the world. The peaceful and neighbourly existence of three families, Polish, Ukrainian and Jewish, sharing a large house, musical evenings and merriment in the city of Stanislaviv in the years preceding and post war, is shattered. First in the Soviet occupation and the persecution of the Polish family, then, by the Nazi occupation of Ukraine, and the decimation of the Jewish family. Sacrificing their lives the Ukrainian family manage to save their neighbours' children and their own daughter. Death and loss come to these families, but the healing power and joy , and a promise that the Future Will Not be Cancelled which "Carol of the Bells' evokes will be everlasting.

Sasha manages a firm that installs tombstones at the local cemetery. His many customers have all experienced personal tragedies, but he is full of cynicism. One day, Sasha's 14-year-old daughter appears to bring him back into her life.