Directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, the documentary Porcelain War will open in theaters, on November 22 in New York at the IFC Center, and on November 29 in Los Angeles at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center, followed by a roll out across North America including the SF Bay Area in December.

Fresh from the Woodstock Film Festival, Porcelain War won the Leon Gast Award for Best Documentary Feature and Best Editing Documentary Award. It also claimed the Documentary Feature Grand Prize at the Heartland Film Festival and is shortlisted by DOC NYC.

The jury at Woodstock commented, “What sets this film apart is how personal and raw it feels… The focus on the resilience and bravery of those fighting back against unimaginable devastation creates a deeply humanizing narrative that transcends the typical war documentary. The breathtaking cinematography and stirring, magical score only add to the film’s emotional depth, making it more than just a documentary about conflict but a tribute to the courage and hope of those living through it.”

Premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Porcelain War won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary and has since won more than 30 awards and honors at festivals around the world, more than any other documentary this year.

The film is a stunning tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, embodying the enduring hope and passion of ordinary people living through extraordinary circumstances.

When the Russians invade Ukraine, husband-and-wife artists Slava and Anya, their faithful dog Frodo, and dear friend Andrey, seize their destiny as they choose to stay and fight. Setting aside their civilian life and past selves, Slava and Andrey join a special ops unit on the frontlines, while Anya makes delicate porcelain art amid constant bombardment.

As war ravages their homeland, the three artists choose to stay in their native Ukraine, armed with their art, their cameras, and for the first time in their lives, their guns.

Watch the official Trailer for Porcelain War