Series reveals the ‘heartache and determination’ of Ukraine’s people

THE MIPDOC Co-Production Summit is a session that will focus on the changing business models, commercial returns and funding options for documentary makers. A highlight is a presentation from Susan Zirinsky, president, See It Now Studios, which is followed up by a MIPDOC Case Study focusing on the six-part series, Citizens At War: A Year In Ukraine.

The series presents a view of the war through the eyes of Ukrainians and features exclusive interviews with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, his wife, Olena and the head of the President’s office, Andriy Yermak. It comprises six one-hour episodes: The First Ten Days; Zelensky; Women At War; The Volunteer Army; The Siege Of Mariupol; and The Russians. The world thought that Ukraine would fall in a few days. For Ukrainians, the war became an epic battle for survival, so the filmmakers joined the resistance at every possible frontline. The main goal of Citizens At War: A Year In Ukraine is to tell Europe and the world the story of this war through the voices of Ukrainians themselves, rather than through foreign experts or news headlines. The series is produced by Film.UA Group, British-Australian Tilt Media and the UK’s GTV Docs. Blue Ant International is series distributor and principal broadcaster is ZDF. “How the people of a free and democratic society in modern-day Europe rallied, in order to defend their country and national identity against a foreign aggressor, is the most important story of our time,” head of development and co-productions, Film.UA Group — and a speaker at the session — Kateryna Vyshnevska, said. “All the partners