The Ukrainian anthology film War Through the Eyes of Animals has been selected for the main competition program of the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place from June 4 to 15, 2025, in New York City. The film is composed of short stories portraying animals who, like humans, have become victims of the war in Ukraine. The project unites prominent Ukrainian directors, emerging talents, and well-known actors.
This was reported by SOTA Cinema Group.
The anthology consists of seven short stories, most based on real events. The main characters are animals — a cat, a wolf, a cow, an eagle, a goat, and fish — who suffer from the war just as people do. According to the creators, these stories could happen in any part of Ukraine under conditions of full-scale invasion. The animals serve as symbols of humanity, encouraging viewers to reflect on the humanitarian and environmental consequences of war.
"The world premiere of the film is not only a recognition of our cinematic capability, but above all, an effective platform for delivering important messages to the world. With every film, play, or book we create during the war, we tell the world who we are and what we are fighting for. And we cannot let someone else tell our story. That’s why our festival journey begins in America," said the film’s creator and producer Oleh Kokhan.
One of the most anticipated segments is The Eagle, featuring Sean Penn — an Oscar-winning actor and prominent advocate for Ukraine — in the lead role. The short was directed by Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, and the soundtrack for the entire anthology was written by global music stars Imagine Dragons, who have supported Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion.
The anthology includes works by renowned Ukrainian directors Ivan Sautkin, Yuliia Shashkova, and Oleksii Mamedov, as well as debut filmmakers Andrii Lidahovskyi, Maks Tuzov, and Sviatoslav Kostiuk. Voice acting was provided by Maryna Koshkina, Oleksandr Pecherytsia, Mykhailo Matiukhin, Olha Korotiaieva, blogger Olha Martynyshyn, and young actors Artem Chernii, Polina Haiova, Mykhailo Pulianskyi, and Nazar Hladiuk.
The project was developed in both Ukraine and the U.S., involving nearly 500 filmmakers. Its partners include USAID, the European Solidarity Fund For Ukrainian Films (ESFUF), and Save Pets of Ukraine, an initiative that has been helping animals affected by the war since its first days.
The world premiere of War Through the Eyes of Animals at Tribeca is a major step in promoting Ukrainian culture globally and drawing attention to the tragedy of war through the perspective of those who cannot speak — animals.
Author: Danylo Pievchev