The Ukrainian documentary 20 Days in Mariupol has won an Oscar. The film, directed by Mstislav Chernov, won in the Best Feature Documentary category. This was announced during the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, Kommersant Ukrainian reports 
The film became the third Ukrainian film to be nominated for the most prestigious award, and the first to win a golden statuette.
The authors of 20 Days in Mariupol are director Mstislav Chernov, photographer Yevhen Malolietka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko. They were the last journalists to stay in Mariupol at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and they recorded what happened in the Azov Sea city in the first three weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Director Mstislav Chernov said on stage that he would have been happy not to receive the award, as long as Russia did not launch a full-scale war against Ukraine.
“This is the first Oscar in the history of Ukraine. It’s an honour for me, but I’m probably the first director in history to say: ‘I wish this film didn’t exist’. I would have given this award so that Russia would never have attacked Ukraine, never have captured our cities, never have killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians, never have held hostages – civilians and soldiers who were defending their land. But I cannot change history. I cannot change the past. But we can all make sure that the truth prevails. And the people of Mariupol and others who gave their lives will never be forgotten. Because cinema shapes memories, and memories shape history. So thank you all, thank you Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine!”
– he said.
Before the Oscars, Yevhen Maloletka, Mstislav Chernov and Vasilisa Stepanenko received the Shevchenko Prize for their series of journalistic materials about the siege of Mariupol (reports, photo and video reports, investigations and the film 20 Days in Mariupol).
The film “20 Days in Mariupol” – what is known
The film tells the story of the 20 days that director Mstislav Chernov spent with his colleagues in besieged Mariupol after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On the 21st day of the war, the journalists left Mariupol through the humanitarian corridor. At the end of the film, a text appears stating that the city was fully occupied by Russia after 86 days.
The film won the Audience Award for Best Foreign Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.
The Ukrainian documentary 20 Days in Mariupol won a BAFTA award.