In 2024, after securing the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in the documentary category, Porcelain War began its extraordinary journey across screens, cities, and continents—bringing with it a message that resonates beyond the theater walls. With the crucial support of Razom Cinema, the film reached audiences around the United States, while uplifting the voices of those at the heart of the story.
Co-directed by Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo, Porcelain War tells the poignant story of artists in Ukraine resisting invasion through creation, not destruction. This powerful narrative struck a deep chord with viewers, leading to a screening run that spanned more than 100 film festivals and over 100 theatrical screens globally.
Thanks to Razom Cinema’s grant, Slava Leontyev and one of the film’s lead heroes, artist Anya Stasenko, were able to attend screenings and discussions in-person throughout the United States. From intimate community screenings to prestigious Academy-hosted events, Slava and Anya brought Ukrainian voices into the room—reminding every audience member of the urgent need to support Ukraine’s cultural and human resilience.
Their travels brought them to cities across the U.S., including San Francisco, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Washington D.C., where they presented the film at a bipartisan Congressional screening. During the Oscar campaign, their journey continued with repeated visits to key cities, where they met with Academy members and press alike to advocate for the film—and for Ukraine.
The support of Razom Cinema came at a critical moment. With this partnership, Porcelain War not only reached audiences in person—it achieved the incredible milestone of being shortlisted and ultimately nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards. This recognition was more than just cinematic—it was a call to action and a spotlight on Ukraine’s continued fight for freedom, dignity, and culture.
“It was a great honor to have the support of Razom Cinema to help share our story of Porcelain War. With Razom’s generous help, we were able to travel around the United States and talk with thousands of people about the importance of preserving our culture and freedom in Ukraine and, ultimately, taking this story to the world stage at the Academy Awards. I am grateful to everyone at Razom for their trust and partnership. Slava Ukraini.” From Slava Leontyev and Anya Stasenko
We are honored to have supported this extraordinary film and its remarkable creators. As part of launching the Ukrainian theatrical release, Razom partnered with the Ukrainian distributor Arthouse Traffic to host a special screening of Porcelain War at Kyiv’s iconic Zhovten Cinema. Nearly 400 guests, partners, and friends of the organization gathered for the event. To present the film, Razom Cinema welcomed cinematographer Andriy Stefanov and one of the film’s central figures, Kateryna. This powerful evening not only celebrated the film but also continued Razom’s commitment to supporting the real-life heroes it portrays, by providing aid directly to their battalions.
Zhovten Cinema, Kateryna and Andriy in Kyiv (February 2025) presenting the film Porcelain War.
Thank you to Slava, Anya, and the Porcelain War team for your courage, your artistry, and your unwavering commitment to truth. And thank you to everyone who made this journey possible—including our community of supporters who believe in the power of cinema to change hearts and minds.
