Andrij Lytvynenko
Field of Work
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Country
Poland
Biography
Director and producer, graduate of the Karpenko-Kary University (2012) and the Wajda School (Gaude Polonia 2013). A seasoned filmmaker, they contributed to notable anthologies like "OUT EURO" and "Maidan. Installation," and co-authored "The Process: The Case of Oleg Sentsov." Their documentary "Askania Reserve" was supported by Derzhkino, marking a significant milestone in their career.
Beyond directing, they have extensive experience in international media, serving as a local producer for major global broadcasters such as Sky News, TVE, and BFM TV. Their current project, "Everything Needs to Leave" (co-authored with Tetyana Dorodnitsyna), is funded by PISF and Canal+, gaining prestigious recognition as the Best Director at ArtDocfest 2025 and winning awards at the Krakow, GoEast, and Docudays UA film festivals.
From 2024 to 2026, they co-founded and managed the NGO Documentary Cinema Association of Ukraine. Committed to industry growth, they also organized LAB DOKUTOLOKA, an educational initiative empowering young Ukrainian documentarians to modernize their projects for the global stage.
This is why I cannot remain indifferent. For me, filmmaking is more than a profession; it is a tool for making the "invisible" visible. I am inspired by the possibility of turning silent pain into a powerful statement and translating the profound internal struggles of my protagonists into the universal language of cinema. I believe that by shedding light on the stories of the most vulnerable, we not only restore justice but also help society become more compassionate and empathetic.
Director’s statement / Sample of Work / Showcase
Selected Filmography
Everything Need Live (Усе має жити, 2024) — Feature documentary. Winner of the Audience Awards at Krakow Film Festival and Docudays UA, Best Director at ArtDocfest 2025, and the Grand Prix at GoEast Film Festival 2025.
The Trial: The State of Russia vs Oleg Sentsov (Процес: Російська держава проти Олега Сенцова, 2017) — Documentary feature. Idea author and Ukrainian co-producer.
Askania Reserve (Заповідник Асканія, 2019) — Feature documentary. Audience Award winner at Docudays UA and Special Mention at the Pelicam International Film Festival.
1000 Year War (1000-літня війна, 2023) — Historical documentary television series exploring the origins and development of Ukraine's struggle for independence.
Fantastic Ukrainians. Visual Arts (Фантастичні українці. Візуальне мистецтво, 2020) — Documentary film examining contemporary Ukrainian visual art and its leading figures.
Miner's Shift (Зміна шахтаря, 2018) — Six-part documentary series portraying everyday life in Ukraine's industrial mining region.
Overcoming the Darkness (Подолати темряву, 2022) — Documentary almanac reflecting on the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Cities of Heroes (Міста героїв, 2022) — Documentary short film series highlighting the resilience of Ukrainian communities during wartime.
Vattenti (Vattenti, 2017) — Ukraine–Italy documentary co-production exploring traditional rituals and cultural identity.
Awards & Recognition
2025 – Special Mention, Global DOC Festival — Everything Need Live
2025 – Best Documentary Award, GoEast Film Festival — Everything Need Live
2025 – Best Director Award, ArtDocFest — Everything Need Live
2024 – Audience Award, Docudays UA / Rights Now! Programme — Everything Need Live
2024 – Audience Award, Krakow Film Festival — Everything Need Live
2023 – Emmy News Award (Sky News coverage of the Battle of Irpin–Bucha)
2019 – Best Film of the Student Jury, Docudays UA — Askania Reserve
2014 – Molodiya Award for the social advertising cycle We Need to See
2012 – Winner of the Shoot&Play Competition, International Festival of Film Schools (IFF Youth)
