11-year-old Ukrainian Roman Oleksiv, who survived a Russian missile strike on Vinnytsia in 2022, received the international Cinema for Peace Honorary Dove award during the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), Roman and his father Yaroslav announced on Facebook.
“This award is not just about Roman. It is about all Ukrainian children who grow up to the sound of sirens,” said the boy’s father.
Roman received the award at the Cinema for Peace charity event for the documentary film Children in the Fire by director Yevgeny Afineevsky, which tells his story. The event takes place annually during the Berlinale and is dedicated to global conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Roman suffered severe injuries during a Russian missile strike on Vinnytsia, which killed his mother. The boy underwent dozens of operations and lengthy rehabilitation, but managed to return to his studies, creative work, and public activities, becoming a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian children.
Roman has previously spoken at the European Parliament and received awards in Ukraine for his courage and strength of spirit.
