Documentary about children in eastern Ukraine makes it to Oscars shortlist

“Simon Lereng Wilmont’s documentary “A House Made of Splinters”, filmed with the support of the State Cinema Agency, was shortlisted for the Oscar award. The picture is presented among 15 candidates in the “Best Documentary Feature Film” category. Five nominees out of 15 will be selected in January 2023,” the statement reads.

The film tells a story of a small group of strong-willed social workers, against the background of the war in Eastern Ukraine, tirelessly work in a special orphanage near the front line and create a safe space for children to live in, while state bodies and courts decide the future fate of the child and his family.

The film was created as a co-production between Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Ukraine.

Director Simon Lereng Wilmont, line producer and second director Asad Safarov. Producers Monica Hellström (Final Cut for Real, Denmark), Tobias Jansson (STORY, Sweden), Sami Janukainen (Donkey Hotel, Finland), Daria Bassel, and Vika Khomenko (Moon Man, Ukraine).

As reported, A House Made of Splinters won two awards at the International Film Festival in Thessaloniki in March – “Golden Alexander” – as the best documentary film, as well as the FIPRESCI Award.

Photo from the usfa.gov.ua website