Ukraine nominates Mstyslav Chernov’s film «2000 Meters to Andriivka» for the 2026 Oscars
The Ukrainian Oscar Committee has selected the documentary film «2000 Meters to Andriivka», directed by Mstyslav Chernov, as Ukraine’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the category of Best International Feature Film.
This compelling documentary offers a poignant and unflinching look at the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war through the personal experiences of ordinary people living on the front lines.
The film has already earned critical acclaim internationally, climbing to top positions on platforms like Letterboxd and Metacritic.
The prestigious British newspaper The Times called it “the most important film of the year.” The documentary focuses on the small village of Andriivka, located just ten kilometers from Bakhmut, which has become a battlefield during Ukraine’s counteroffensive in 2023.
Surrounded by mines and enemy snipers, soldiers—former civilians—fight fiercely to reclaim their land, demonstrating resilience and human dignity even in the face of war’s brutal realities.
The film’s production involved notable figures such as Associated Press photographer Alex Babenko and seasoned producers Michelle Maisner and Reini Aronson-Rat, who previously worked on the acclaimed «20 Days in Mariupol».
Music for the film was composed by four-time Grammy winner Sem Slater, known for his work on «Chernobyl» and «Joker».
Created in partnership with PBS Frontline and Associated Press, the documentary continues the tradition of high-quality war reporting.
Its world premiere took place at Sundance Film Festival in January 2025, followed by its first screening in Ukraine during June at the Kyiv International Film Festival.
Out of eight submissions, the film was selected to represent Ukraine at the Oscars, with the winners to be announced on January 22, 2026, and the awards ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026.
The film has already received high praise internationally, with an IMDb score of 8.2 and 95% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
It is not just a documentary, but a powerful voice telling the story of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and sovereignty amid ongoing conflict.