Archive · 7 Jan 2026
BAFTA-Winning Film Humanizes Ukraine War
Rock, Paper, Scissors is a short film that tells the true story of Ivan, a Ukrainian civilian who helped his father run a makeshift hospital near the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The film shows the difficult choices Ivan had to make to protect the vulnerable from Russian soldiers.
The title represents the loss of innocence and the unpredictability of war.
The film has won several awards, including a BAFTA, and has been shortlisted for the 2026 Oscars.
The filmmakers worked closely with Ivan and Ukrainian actors to ensure authenticity.
Ivan passed away before seeing the completed film, which deeply affected the filmmakers.
The film aims to help people understand the human side of war and the resilience of those affected by it.
Rock, Paper, Scissors is a 20-minute short film based on the true story of Ivan, a Ukrainian civilian who helped his father run a makeshift hospital near the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The film has won a BAFTA, the Best Short Film Grand Prize at HollyShorts London, and has been shortlisted for the 2026 Oscars.
Director Franz Böhm met Ivan in the UK and collaborated with him to write the screenplay, with Ivan's advice on location scouting.
The film was shot in the UK with Ukrainian actors, including Oleksandr Rudynskyi who played Ivan, and had the support of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Ivan passed away before seeing the completed film, which led the filmmakers to alter the ending to honor his memory.
- Who
- Ivan, a Ukrainian civilian, and the filmmakers Franz Böhm and Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer
- What
- A short film based on Ivan's real-life experiences during the Russia-Ukraine war
- When
- The film was produced in 2025, with the conflict still ongoing
- Where
- The story is set near the frontline in Ukraine, and the film was shot in the UK
- Why
- To humanize the realities of war and explore the impact on civilians
- Film Title
- Rock, Paper, Scissors
- Director
- Franz Böhm
- Producer
- Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer
- Main Actor
- Oleksandr Rudynskyi
- Awards
- BAFTA, HollyShorts London, 2026 Oscars shortlist
- Inspiration
- True story of Ivan, a Ukrainian civilian
- Production Support
- National Film and Television School, Office of the President of Ukraine
- Filming Location
- UK