TRACES follows Ukrainian women who, after surviving conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and torture during Russia’s war, refuse to remain silent. At its center is Iryna Dovhan, a former captive turned activist and head of SEMA Ukraine, who documents the testimonies of survivors across de-occupied territories. Through her guidance, the documentary film presents a collective portrait of trauma, resilience, and hope, showing how survivors transform pain into power.

The title TRACES captures this multilayered impact – from the visible destruction of lives and communities to the invisible marks left on the human psyche: physical, psychological, and social. More than a record of war crimes, the documentary film is a testament to solidarity and agency – survivors reclaim their voices, challenge stigma, and insist on justice.

Alisa Kovalenko, a Ukrainian director and activist, has won multiple awards for her films ALISA IN WARLAND and HOME GAMES. Following the Russian invasion, she fought on the front line and returned to filmmaking in 2025 with MY DEAR THEO. As a survivor of conflict-related sexual violence, she campaigns with SEMA Ukraine on behalf of survivors of sexual violence and for human rights.

After graduating from Karpenko-Karyi University in Kyiv in 2012, Marysia Nikitiuk began working as a screenwriter. Her short films have been screened at numerous festivals. Her first feature film, WHEN THE TREES FALL, premiered at the Berlinale in 2018. Since 2023, she has been running storytelling courses for children and young people affected by war as part of the “Voices of Children” foundation.

Filmography (together): 2026 TRACES

Awards: Panorama Audience Award for Best Documentary Film (Berlin International Film Festival, Germany 2026)