DOK Industry Talks 2025
Case Study: Documentary Production in War “ARTE – Generation Ukraine”
What does it mean to produce documentaries during war? Using “Silent Flood” (Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk) and “Queens of Joy” (Olga Gibelinda), this case study explores the realities of Ukrainian filmmakers working in wartime. Both films are part of ARTE’s Generation Ukraine, created with European partners to support Ukrainian projects.
Beyond creative processes, the session shows how production can succeed despite destroyed infrastructure, travel restrictions, and constant uncertainty. It examines the role of broadcasters, co-producers, funding bodies, and how international cooperation amplifies authentic voices.
Directors, producers, and representatives of ARTE and MDR/ARD share insights into the film production, project selection, and collaboration during Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Language
English
Access
Accredited guests welcome
Panellists:
- Olga Gibelinda (she/her), Director “Queens of Joy”, Malanka Studios, Ukraine
- Ivanna Khitsinska (she/her), Producer “Queens of Joy”, Malanka Studios, Ukraine
- Karina Kostyna, Producer “Silent Flood”, TABOR Production, Ukraine
- Tanja Georgieva-Waldhauer, Co-Producer ”Silent Flood”, Elemag Pictures, Germany
- Barbara Bouillon, ARTE G.E.I.E., France
- Alexandre Marionneau, ARTE France, France
- Thomas Beyer, Commissioning Editor “Silent Flood”, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, Germany
When & Where
Projects
Monroe, Marlen and Aura - three drag queens redefine resilience and hope, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and survival amid war-torn Ukraine. Aura serves in the Army, while Monroe and Marlen are engaged on the civilian side. Together they organize a show in support of the Ukrainian army and set out on a personal and political journey.
The pacifist Christian community “Kashketnyky” lives in seclusion on the Dniester River in western Ukraine. The war breaks through their isolation. They abandon their own rules and decide to support the front – without taking up the fight themselves.
DOK Industry is realised with the support of Creative Europe MEDIA Programme of the European Union, the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media upon a Decision of the German Bundestag.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
