Ukraine downs 131 Russian missiles and drones - Air Force

Ukraine has chosen the documentary "Traces" to submit for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, the Ukrainian Oscar Committee announced on September 16. The selection process was challenging, as the committee had to choose from a range of strong and deserving films that each offer a unique perspective on Ukraine and the current situation.

Though "Traces" tackles a difficult subject matter, the film uses a delicate and compelling cinematic language that engages viewers and fosters empathy for its subjects. The movie has already received recognition at various film festivals, including Berlinale, Movies That Matter in The Hague, Millennium Docs Against Gravity, and the audience favorite list at Toronto’s Hot Docs documentary festival.

Out of eight films submitted for consideration this year, "Traces" stands out as Ukraine's submission for the prestigious award. Highlighting a different aspect of the ongoing conflict, the country also submitted the action thriller "Killhouse" and the anthology film "War Through the Eyes of Animals," featuring actor Sean Penn. Ukraine previously won its first Oscar in 2024 for the documentary "20 Days in Mariupol," directed by Slavslav Chernenko, which provides a firsthand account of Russia's siege on the city during the initial weeks of the full-scale war in 2022.