‘Best Documentary’ nomination for young Swansea filmmaker’s personal story of war
Eighteen-year-old Daria Savchenko from Gower College, in Swansea, has been nominated for Best Documentary at the prestigious Into Film Awards 2025, for her deeply personal film Mariupol – a powerful exploration of displacement, resilience, adapting to a new culture, and the human cost of war.
The star-studded, red-carpet ceremony will take place at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London on Tuesday 24 June, hosted by actor, presenter and author, Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE.
Mariupol explores one individual’s personal experience of the war breaking out in Ukraine and the impact it had on their life. It follows their journey as they navigate the challenges of leaving their home, seeking safety, and eventually relocating to the UK.
On her nomination, Daria said: “I am so excited (and a little nervous) at my nomination. This film is deeply personal – it’s about Mariupol, my home, and what people have gone through. Sharing this story is really important to me. I want audiences to understand the human cost of war. My hope is that the film builds empathy and shows the strength of those forced to start over.”
Speaking about Daria’s success, Tonia Anoniazzi MP for Gower said: “Daria’s documentary Mariupol is a powerful and deeply moving piece of filmmaking and I’m proud to see a young filmmaker from Gower College is being recognised at the Into Film Awards. Tackling such a traumatic and personal subject with compassion and honesty is incredibly brave, and Daria has done it with immense maturity and sensitivity. I want to wish her the best of luck for the awards in June.”
The nomination comes as part of a record-breaking year for young Welsh talent, with Wales receiving seven nominations across 11 categories – the highest number of nominations of any Celtic nation across the UK.
Commenting on this record-breaking success, Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant, said: “Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent, as can clearly be seen by the record-breaking number of Welsh nominees this year.
“Creative Wales is committed to building on the momentum of productions like Havoc or Mr Burton to secure a bright future for Welsh filmmaking, developing sustainable pathways from school projects to international productions. The exceptional stories these young people are telling today represent the next generation of talent who will continue to build Wales’ growing influence in global creative industries. Pob lwc bawb!”
This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Wales’ film industry, following the recent success of Havoc (the Netflix action thriller starring Tom Hardy and the largest feature film ever shot entirely within Wales) and Mr Burton, produced with financial support from BBC Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, in partnership with Creative Wales.
The diversity of Welsh nominees this year is particularly noteworthy, with young filmmakers from urban to rural communities, representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Animated Voices, created by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Cardiff, explores their personal experiences of life in the UK, while Mariupol offers a powerful perspective on the war in Ukraine through the eyes of a displaced individual.
Non Stevens, Head of Into Film Cymru, who wants to work more with Creative Wales to support a thriving film ecosystem extended from major international productions to nurturing young grassroots talent, said: “We’re thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices – including Daria – achieve record-breaking recognition at this year’s Into Film Awards. These nominations represent communities across Wales and tell stories that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of our nation. At Into Film Cymru, we believe in creating opportunities for all young people, regardless of background, and these nominations demonstrate the power of inclusive filmmaking.
“From Penygroes to Cardiff, from animation to documentary, these young creators are telling authentic stories with exceptional creativity and technical skill. The record number of nominations this year not only reflects growing confidence and talent but also shows how film education can inspire the next generation of Welsh storytellers who will build on our current industry success.”
The Awards, sponsored by the UK film industry celebrate young people’s creativity in film, showcasing and highlighting the wealth of tomorrow’s creative talent. Other categories include Best Film – 12 to 15 years (Sponsored by Paramount Pictures); Best Story (Sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios); the Audience Choice Award (Sponsored by Universal Pictures International); and Ones to Watch – (Sponsored by EON Productions).
This year’s Awards received an unprecedented number of film entries from every corner of the UK, with compelling and timely stories for young people including mental health, the war in Ukraine, gender identity, neurodivergence, multiculturism, the potential harms of AI, feeling disconnected and isolated in modern society, nature conservation, immigration and identity, looking after an unwell parent, the need to stop scrolling on social media, and much more.
All nominations showcase the phenomenal breadth and depth of young filmmaking talent across the UK, but particularly in Wales.
The glitzy afternoon ceremony, which has previously been attended by some of the biggest stars in the industry, including Luke Evans, Rhys Ifans, as well as Daniel Craig, Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Simon Pegg, Martin Freeman and Naomie Harris.
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