Ukrainian Documentary ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ Enters Oscar 2026 Qualification List
Mstyslav Chernov’s new war documentary “2000 Meters to Andriivka” has officially advanced into the Academy Awards 2026 qualification process, appearing in the longlists for both Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature Film.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Suspilne.
The Academy released its annual qualification rosters this week, which include three major categories: documentary features, international features, and animated features.
To remain in contention, each film must meet distribution and festival requirements set by the Academy – some titles are still undergoing qualifying theatrical runs and will need to fulfil all technical criteria before voting begins.
The scale of competition is substantial: 201 documentary features, 86 international films, and 35 animated submissions are under consideration this year. Oscar shortlists are scheduled for December 16, with final nominations announced January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place March 15, 2026.
The nomination marks a potential return to the Oscars for Chernov, who in 2024 won Ukraine’s first-ever Academy Award with “20 Days in Mariupol.”
His new documentary, created with Associated Press and Frontline (PBS), follows a Ukrainian assault unit attempting to cross a fortified section of forest and reclaim the village of Andriivka in Donetsk region. As the platoon moves deeper into destroyed terrain, the film reflects on endurance, trauma and the uncertainty of whether peace is within reach.
Production began in September 2023 and spanned nearly 18 months. The cinematography was led by Oleksandr Babenko, with producing and editing by Michelle Mizner alongside Raney Aronson-Rath. The soundtrack comes from Sam Slater, a two-time Grammy winner known for his work on Chernobyl and Joker, released digitally and as limited-press vinyl.
2000 Meters to Andriivka is among five works tied to Ukraine in this year’s documentary field – “Sanatorium,” “In Limbo” (Stitched Steps), “Checkpoint Zoo,” and “Viktor.”
As The Gaze reported earlier, the world premiere of the feature film Dovzhenko. The First Glance took place at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, filling the theater to capacity and drawing international attention to the history of Ukrainian cinema.
Read more on The Gaze: Ukrainian Cinema: 9 Must-Watch Films That Define a Nation’s Spirit