Documentary Film on Children of War by Valeriе Nykyforets
Valeriе Nykyforets, founder of the Together Charity Foundation, is the director of the documentary film “War Has No Children.”
The film was produced with the support of the State Film Agency of Ukraine. Its mission is to document the lived experiences of children growing up in the reality of war, to give voice to their stories, and to draw international attention to the needs of children in frontline regions of Ukraine.
As part of the production, the team travelled 2,901 kilometres, covered 8 regions, and reached frontline areas — as close as 16 km from the border and 24 km from active combat zones. Filming took place in locations where attention and support are most urgently needed — ensuring these stories are seen and heard.
The project extends beyond documentation. One of Together’s missions within the film was to support the recovery of one of its participants following a severe war-related trauma. The foundation funded surgery for Kristina, a young girl who was seriously injured by a landmine explosion together with her family and suffered severe burns.
The operation was performed by leading Ukrainian plastic surgeon Serhii Derbak. Special thanks to the Zolochiv community for bringing this story to the team: Oleksandr Hrynchenko (BF “Zminy”), Viktor Kovalenko, Head of the Zolochiv Military Administration, Ruslan Svitlychnyi, Head of the Bohodukhiv community, and Vasyl Myroshnyk (media platform “Zorya”).
This case reflects a core principle of the project: documentary filmmaking can go beyond storytelling — it can directly impact and change lives.
The production process became both a creative and deeply investigative effort. The team collected testimonies from children and their families, documenting loss, trauma, resilience, and strength — shaping a powerful narrative about childhood disrupted by war and the human capacity to endure.
The film is scheduled to premiere at international film festivals in autumn 2026. It is expected to become an important social document, bringing global attention to the realities faced by children affected by the war in Ukraine.
This project reflects Together’s approach: combining cultural work, documentation, and direct support — delivering impact where it matters most.
