Women Occupied

Logline

Women from Ukraine, Kosovo, and Germany struggle with haunting war memories. When their own and inherited traumas of war rape distract them from living life fully, they decide to face the past and begin a journey of reflection, healing, and justice.

Impact Statement

“The Women Occupied Impact Campaign aims to break the cycle of transgenerational trauma caused by conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and other war crimes in Ukraine. Through a documentary-driven advocacy and fundraising campaign, we aim to amplify the voices of survivors, raise global awareness, and mobilize political and financial support. In partnership with the Andreev Family Foundation and the Global Survivors Fund, we aim to deliver urgent reparations — financial assistance, psychosocial and medical care, legal aid, and socio-economic reintegration — to at least 100 survivors. In parallel, with Numo, sisters! NGO we advocate for systemic, survivor-centered reparations models that can inform international post-conflict justice frameworks.”

Partners Attached

• Global Survivors Fund
• Numo
• Sisters NGO
• JurFem
• Andreyev Foundation

Goal at Take on Film & Impact

“We are seeking partnerships with international NGOs, advocacy organizations, and ambassadors from different countries interested in co-hosting screenings, discussions, and advocacy events in support of Ukrainian survivors of CRSV. We are also looking to connect with experienced impact producers and impact campaign teams who could support the fundraising and international rollout of our impact campaign.
In addition, we aim to engage donors and foundations willing to support the core work of our impact team and contribute to building a sustainable, survivor-centered reparations campaign linked to the film Women Occupied.”

Participants

Iryna Shostak is a Ukrainian impact producer and communications strategist working at the intersection of documentary film, human rights advocacy, and social change. She holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Public Relations Management from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. For over 8 years, Iryna has collaborated with NGOs and international organizations including UNDP, USAID, FAO, IREX, La Strada Ukraine, the Regional Center for Human Rights, and the Museum of Stolen Art, leading advocacy and impact campaigns on gender equality, war-related trauma, inclusion, and access to justice. She is a member of the Ukrainian Non-Fiction Film Association and focuses on translating powerful stories into tangible impact through partnerships, fundraising, and policy-oriented advocacy.

Tetiana Hanzha is a Ukrainian documentary film director based in Kyiv, Ukraine. She studied literature at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and documentary filmmaking at different workshops in Ukraine (IndieLab), Poland (Young Europe), and Germany (Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg). She writes and makes films for the Commons Journal. In 2024 her debut film Bouquinistes premiered at Molodist (Kyiv).

Contact: Iryna ShostakWatch the trailer