Ukraine Selects Traces as Its Submission for the 99th Academy Awards

Ukraine has selected Traces, directed by Alisa Kovalenko and co-directed by Marysia Nikitiuk, as its submission for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The decision was announced by the Ukrainian Oscar Committee on September 17, 2026.

The documentary explores the search for justice by Ukrainian women who survived sexual violence and torture during Russia’s full-scale invasion. The film follows a community of survivors, including Iryna Dovhan, a former prisoner who became an activist documenting testimonies from women affected by the occupation.

Traces has already received awards at international festivals including Berlinale, Movies That Matter in The Hague and Millennium Docs Against Gravity, and was among the audience favourites at Toronto’s Hot Docs. Its Ukrainian premiere took place at Docudays UA.

Eight films were submitted to this year’s Ukrainian selection. The committee, consisting of 12 members of the Ukrainian film industry, chose Traces to represent Ukraine in the Academy’s international feature category.