Ukrainian School Students Gained a Unique Opportunity to Appear in a Netflix Film “Guardians of Christmas” in Kyiv
The Together Charity Foundation acted as a partner and supported a short film competition for Lviv school students, organised by the Lviv City Department of Education in collaboration with Ukrainian Film Academy — opening direct access for young people to the professional film industry.
Valeriе Nykyforets, founder of Together, served as a jury member and participated in selecting the winners from numerous submissions. The team noted an exceptionally high standard among participants: each film demonstrated emotional depth, sincerity, and a strong creative voice. First place was awarded to “Factory of Kindness,” created by students of School No. 99.
The winners were given a unique opportunity to join the production of the full-length feature film “Guardians of Christmas.” They worked on set alongside professional actors and an experienced film crew, participated in the filming process, and performed roles in the film. For the students, this was not just an experience, but a full immersion into the real world of filmmaking — an opportunity rarely accessible at such a young age.
The film was released in cinemas in December 2025 and was later featured on Netflix, significantly expanding its audience and highlighting the scale and quality of the project.
Participation in the production provided students not only with practical skills, but also with confidence, a sense of capability, and a clearer understanding of opportunities within the creative industries. They experienced firsthand how a film is made and recognised the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and attention to detail.
The project became a powerful source of motivation not only for its participants, but also for a wider group of young people — demonstrating that even a single opportunity to enter a professional environment can shape future paths and inspire long-term creative ambition.
