“Meanings That Never Fade” is the motto of the Svitlo Film Festival, which has united artists from around the world for over 10 years, promoting contemporary auteur cinema, and supporting the development of Ukrainian cinematography, bringing its new voices to the global stage.
This year, the 6th Svitlo Film Festival, held from September 14 to 16, 2025, in Kyiv at the Ukrainian House International Convention Center, became a landmark event for our foundation. Among 30 unique films, united by inspiring stories about human values, inner strength, and the fight for justice, our joint project with Luminance Production, ‘Manifesto of the Strong’, was presented. The short film, directed by Denys Stehnii and produced by Antonina Sotnyk in support of Ukrainian veterans who have undergone amputation, won in the category Best Social Short Film.
“Our work highlights the difficult path of service members who lost limbs and are undergoing rehabilitation. We wanted to show the real story of a soldier and keep the focus on the defenders. That’s why not only the characters but also the voiceover in the film were performed by military personnel,” said director Denys Stehnii from the stage at the award ceremony.
The main role in the short film is played by Ukrainian veteran Oleksandr Chaika, who lost his leg as a result of the battles near Popasna in 2022. Oleksandr underwent prosthetics and rehabilitation in the United States under the Future for Ukraine program. Later, he returned to his profession as a choreographer and even opened his own acrobatics school for children. A successful professional and a happy father of a 2-year-old son, the veteran still often feels alienated from society because of his trauma. These experiences became the basis of the film, allowing viewers to walk the hero’s path and understand his pain. “His struggles and invisible battles will now become more visible for others. They will be heard,” adds the film director.
Today, the number of Ukrainians who have lost limbs due to the Russian-Ukrainian war is measured in tens of thousands. These people need not only high-quality prosthetic and psychological support but also understanding and acceptance from society.
“Society needs time to feel and understand the pain of veterans. The film by Luminance Production, through the story of its main character, reflects the difficult pathway of thousands of soldiers who have lost limbs. This reward is not only recognition of artistic value but also an important step toward supporting our defenders,” said Olena Nikolaienko, President of FFU in the USA.
According to Svitlana Kryvych, Deputy Director of the Svitlo Film Festival, social art works like “Manifesto of the Strong” are relevant beyond the context of war. “They should touch people’s hearts so that our world and our country can change. And it reflects the main mission of the festival: to spread meanings that never fade,” added Svitlana.
We invite you to watch the short film Manifesto of the Strong on the project’s page. You can also support the veterans who need prosthetics by visiting the case page.
Photo: instagram @svitlofilmfestival
