The documentary film «2000 Meters to Victory» directed by Myroslav Chernov will represent Ukraine at the 98th Academy Awards in the category of «Best International Feature Film».
This was announced by the Ukrainian Oscar Committee via their social media platforms.
«This film is an uncompromising and emotionally charged work that immerses viewers in the realities of the Russian-Ukrainian war through human stories – painful yet filled with dignity. It needs to be the voice of those who fight for freedom and the right to live every day,» the committee said.
«2000 Meters to Victory» reveals the consequences of war through personal perspectives.
The director focuses on Ukrainian soldiers – who they are, where they come from, and the tough decisions they must make to protect their land.
«Amid the failed counteroffensive operation in 2023, Chernov, alongside his colleague Oleksiy Babenko, follows a Ukrainian brigade breaking through approximately 2000 meters of fortified forest to liberate the village of Andriivka. Combining original footage with intense video from soldiers’ body cameras, «2000 Meters to Victory» chillingly shows that the further the soldiers advance through their devastated homeland, the more they realize this war may have no end,» the committee added.
The world premiere of the film took place at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025, where it won the award for best directing.
The Ukrainian premiere occurred at the Docudays UA festival, where the film won in three categories. From August 28, the film was released in theaters across Ukraine.
«It is an honor for us to represent Ukraine in the category of «Best International Feature Film» at the Oscars. We will do everything possible to ensure the voices of Ukraine and our soldiers are heard. This feels especially important now, with the recent bombardment of Kyiv. I learned about the nomination while filming the rescue of civilians from the rubble, and it adds even more responsibility to us as documentarians to shout to the world about what is happening, even when it feels futile,» commented Chernov.
The decision was made by a committee of 12 experts from the film industry.
The committee is chaired by Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk, with members including Maxim Asadchyi, Denys Budanov, and other industry professionals.
The shortlist of 15 films in the «Best International Feature Film» category will be announced on December 16, 2025, while the nominees will be revealed on January 22, 2026.
The committee received eight applications for consideration, including «2000 Meters to Victory» and several other films from Ukrainian directors.
