The documentary film “TRACES” by Ukrainian director Alisa Kovalenko, co-directed with Marysia Nikitiuk, has been selected for the Panorama Dokumente program of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), which will take place from February 12 to 22, 2026.
“TRACES” is a powerful documentary testimony to the fight against war crimes of sexual violence committed by Russian forces and to the pursuit of international justice. The film’s world premiere at an A-class festival draws the attention of the international community to the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war against Ukraine.
The film creates a collective portrait of Ukrainian women—from Donbas to Kherson region and Kyiv region—who have survived conflict-related sexual violence and refuse to remain silent. Through the story of Iryna Dovhan, a former captive and current head of SEMA Ukraine, the film weaves together personal testimony, solidarity, and hope.
The production of the film was supported by:
SEMA Ukraine together with the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation; the Polish company Message Film (Violetta Kamińska, Izabela Wójcik, Dariusz Jabłoński) with the support of the Polish Film Institute; International Media Support; HIAS; and the Ukrainian Film Academy in cooperation with the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
Additional support for the film’s promotion was provided by the Ukrainian Institute in cooperation with EURIMAGES.
Impact partners in Ukraine include UN Women Ukraine and the Masha Foundation, which joined the implementation of the film’s social mission to counter conflict-related sexual violence and to amplify the voices of survivors.
By bringing women together in a circle of courage and mutual care, “TRACES” shows how personal pain is transformed into the power of truth, solidarity, and the struggle for justice.
