23rd Verzió Festival 16–25/11 2026.

Traces

Traces

Slidy
Poster
Traces poster
Directed by

Alisa Kovalenko, Marysia Nikitiuk

Ukraine, Poland | 2026 | 85 min | Ukrainian
Full Synopsis

The film shines a light on Ukrainian women who, after surviving conflict-related sexual violence and torture during the Russian war of aggression, refuse to remain silent. Through the journey of Iryna Dovhan, a former captive turned activist who documents testimonies of affected women in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine, the film weaves a portrait of a collective trauma while opening space for hope. Iryna gathers other survivors into a circle of courage and care. Together, they transform their pain into a force for truth, justice and mutual support. More than a record of war crimes, Traces is a testament to resilience and the solidarity of women standing side by side.

Producer
Olha Bregman
Natalia Libet
Cinematographer
Alisa Kovalenko
Oleksandr Roshchyn
Editor
Milenia Fiedler
Alisa Kovalenko
Nikon Romanchenko
Composer
Wojciech Frycz
Production Company
2Brave Productions
Message Film
Distribution
Tijana Djukic
STRANGER FILMS
tiana@strangerfilmssales.com
Festivals & Awards
Berlinale 2026 – Panorama Audience Award, Best Documentary
Movies that Matter 2026 – Grand Jury Documentary Award
Millennium Docs Against Gravity 2026 – Smakjam Award for Best Production in the Polish Film Competition
Millennium Docs Against Gravity 2026 – Special Mention, Polish Film Competition
Shortlisted – European Film Awards 2027
Available Online
11. 18. WEDNESDAY 18:45
Screening
Toldi - Béla Balázs Hall
Subtitle: English and Hungarian
Directors
Alisa Kovalenko Director
Alisa Kovalenko

Alisa Kovalenko is an award-winning Ukrainian documentary filmmaker whose films include Home Games, We Will Not Fade Away and My Dear Théo.

Marysia Nikitiuk Director
Marysia Nikitiuk

Marysia Nikitiuk is an award-winning Ukrainian filmmaker and screenwriter whose debut feature When the Trees Fall premiered in Berlinale Panorama; she also co-wrote Evge / Homeward, which premiered at Cannes.

Trigger Warnings