Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to the powerful documentary 'Ash and Crayons', directed by the acclaimed Evgeny Afineevsky. This film, which tells the stories of seven Ukrainian children affected by the ongoing war, is set for a theatrical release on November 20th, World Children's Day. The documentary combines verité footage with animations created by Ukrainian artists, showcasing the resilience of these young victims amidst unimaginable horrors.
Evgeny Afineevsky, a Russian-born Israeli-American filmmaker, has been a dedicated chronicler of the war in Ukraine for over a decade. His previous works include 'Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom', for which he received an Oscar nomination, and its sequel, 'Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom'. Afineevsky's commitment to documenting the war's impact on Ukrainian children is evident in 'Ash and Crayons', which received the prestigious Cinema for Peace Award in Berlin, presented by Hillary Clinton.
Tom Ortenberg, the veteran film executive at Briarcliff Entertainment, expressed his pride in associating with such a powerful film, promising to bring it to audiences this fall. Kevin Goetz, one of the film's producers, emphasized the importance of sharing these inspiring stories with the world, highlighting Afineevsky's status as one of the greatest documentarians of our time. Afineevsky himself expressed gratitude for the support of Ukrainian artists and industry professionals, as well as the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine and the Ukrainian State Film Agency.
This acquisition by Briarcliff Entertainment underscores the film's potential for a significant impact, both in terms of awards campaigns and its message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The documentary serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of war on innocent lives and the importance of bringing attention to such issues through powerful storytelling.
