Ukraine-Lensed Documentary Sanatorium Named Ireland’s Oscar Contender
Ireland has chosen Sanatorium, a documentary filmed in Ukraine by director Gar O’Rourke, as its official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
The Gaze reports this, referring to the Irish Film and Television Academy.
The film explores the Kuyalnik Sanatorium near Odesa, a vast Soviet-era health resort that continues to operate despite the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war.
Known for its mineral-rich black mud, the facility still attracts visitors seeking traditional therapies for infertility, physical disabilities, and other ailments.
O’Rourke’s documentary captures the daily rhythm of life inside the sanatorium over the course of a summer season.
It follows staff members who dedicate themselves to the well-being of guests, offering care, entertainment, and a sense of community, even as the sounds of war linger beyond the horizon.
For patients, Kuyalnik emerges as more than a spa; it becomes a place of renewal and resilience during wartime.
Sanatorium premiered in March at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival and has since been screened at leading festivals, including Visions du Réel in Switzerland, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, DocuDays UA in Kyiv, the Melbourne International Film Festival, and the Galway Film Fleadh.
At Galway, the film won Best Irish Feature Documentary of 2025, boosting its profile as a strong contender on the global stage.
Read more on The Gaze: Ukrainian Cinema: 9 Must-Watch Films That Define a Nation’s Spirit