Country: Poland | Genre: Short | Year: 2021-2024 | Duration: 92’ | In Ukrainian and Polish with Ukrainian and English subtitles

Recommended age: 16+

❗These films can contain potentially distressing or upsetting elements, such as blood, violence, nudity, russian language

Warsaw Film School proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special showcase at Kino Susidiv and the Kyiv International Short Film Festival. To mark this milestone, we are thrilled to present five outstanding short fiction films created by our talented Ukrainian students. 

Three of the selected titles reflect on the harsh realities of the Russian invasion:

• Podorozhnyk (Maryna Suslovets, 2024) tells the story of two children trying to survive in a war-torn landscape.

• It’s Me (Anastasiia Suslovets, 2024) follows a father attempting to reconnect with his daughter amid the chaos of conflict.

• Metallic Taste (Ivan Krupenikov, 2023) explores the psychological toll of killing in self-defense.

The remaining two films take us in a different, more intimate direction:

• These Damn Peonies (Polina Biliaeva, 2023) is a bold and tender coming-of-age tale centered on female desire and self-discovery.

• Eden House (Adelina Borets, 2021) depicts a young boy’s entrapment in a religious drug-rehabilitation facility, raising questions about faith, control, and identity.

Founded 20 years ago, Warsaw Film School has remained committed to empowering young voices and championing powerful storytelling. With two Oscar nominations, recognition both in Poland and internationally, and a reputation as one of Europe’s leading film schools, we are proud of our journey — and even more excited about what’s ahead.

Join us in celebrating two decades of creativity, courage, and cinematic excellence.