Our Best Short Film winner will receive our custom Global Shorts statuette which we ship anywhere in the world, free of charge. The award is manufactured by Society Awards, the same awards company that manufactures the Golden Globe and the Emmy. All winners will receive our Global Shorts Winner laurels in black, white, and gold.
Title: The Pastor of Kherson
Runtime: 12 min
Country: USA
Director: Yaroslav Lodygin
Placement: Honorable Mention
Competition: March, 2025
Synopsis: The Pastor of Kherson is a powerful short documentary that chronicles the extraordinary journey of Oleh Derkachenko, a man who transforms his life from the depths of addiction to become a beacon of hope and faith. Set in the war-torn city of Kherson, Ukraine, the film follows Oleh as he leads his small congregation through the turmoil of the Russian invasion. Amidst secret gatherings and the looming threat of violence, Oleh and his family become the target of multiple Russian drone strikes, but miraculously survive. Oleh’s unwavering faith and resilience inspire others, turning his congregation into a growing community of hope and resistance in a city under siege.