CHILDREN IN FIRE / ДІТИ У ВОГНІ

Leonid Nefedovich
Sep 23
2 min read

2025 / 109' / documentary / Ukraine, USA, Czech Republic

Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian leaders have imposed methods for undermining Ukraine’s future by targeting its children. Russian troops are regularly accused of abducting minors, then forcing them into adoptions or captivity so they can be re-educated as Russian patriots.

Children In The Fire is the collective war diary of resilient Ukrainians who witnessed the worst of humanity, yet remain motivated young athletes, performers and public servants. Through live-action footage and Ukrainian artists’ animation, the documentary joins eight kids on international journeys to pursue their goals. Each child embodies the promise of their homeland and the potential of a nonviolent world.

Screenings schedule:

October 2, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at the Zhovten Cinema, Hegemon Hall

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DIRECTOR - EVGENY AFINEEVSKY

Biography

Evgeny Afineevsky (born 1972) is an American director and producer of Israeli origin who specializes in documentary films about human rights, freedom, and social transformations. His film Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom (2015) was nominated for an Academy Award and an Emmy, and also received the Producers Guild of America Award. In his subsequent works (Cries from Syria, Francesco), he addresses themes of armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the role of spiritual leaders in the world. Afineevsky combines cinematic expressiveness with journalistic accuracy, creating films that amplify the voices of witnesses and spark vital social debates.

Afineevsky resides in Los Angeles and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Directors Guild of America, European Film Academy and Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. He is also RSA Fellow (The Royal Society for Arts in UK).

Selected filmography

2023: Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom
2020: Francesco
2017: Cries from Syria
2015: Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom
2015: Pray for Ukraine

Producer: Evgeny Afineevsky, Galyna Sadomtseva-Nabaranchuk, Kevin Goetz

Cinematography: Adrian Garcia Grand, Aleksandr Ratushniy, Andrii Rizol, Evgeny Afineevsky, Evgeniy Zozulya, Galyna Sadomtseva-Nabaranchuk, Khrystyna Shevchenko, Konstantin Fam, Mykhailo Dzhos, Oleksii Kerman, Yuriy Dankevych

Composer: Jasha Klebe

Production: Unbroken Generation Production

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