“Children in the Fire” and Emile Foundation Launch Global Campaign for Ukraine’s Stolen Children
Kyiv, Ukraine, August 2025 - Creators of the Award-winning feature documentary “Children in the Fire” and Emile Foundation are proud to join forces in an international campaign to raise global awareness about one of the most painful and urgent humanitarian crises of our time: the systematic deportation, indoctrination, and abuse of Ukrainian children by Russia.
Directed and produced by Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, “Children in the Fire” blends live-action and animation to tell the stories of eight Ukrainian children who survived bombings, captivity, amputations, and re-education camps. Their voices, resilient, candid, and full of life, offer the world an unflinching look at the brutal consequences of war on children.
“The eight young Ukrainians in my movie are vibrant, ambitious and full of wonder,” says Afineevsky. “They love their country, and they strive to energize and rebuild their communities. Each represents millions of children who have been subjected to violence yet refuse to be broken. Global leaders must prioritize establishing a sustained peace, so these kids have the opportunity to grow up and share their stories, too.”
“Children are not numbers. They are faces, names, stories. And each one is sacred,” said Pope Francis to the director, who had previously screened parts of the film in private Vatican audiences before the Pope’s death in 2025.
“Children In The Fire” premiered at the 33rd Raindance Film Festival in London, where the jury honored the film with Special Mention. At the 64th Monte Carlo TV Festival the film was awarded the Jury Special Award and, importantly, the AMADE Special Prize (founded in 1963 upon the initiative of Princess Grace of Monaco) recognizing the film’s support of their core mission: to protect the most vulnerable children from violence, exploitation and abuse. This documentary is more than a film, it is a call for action.
With support from the top state institutions including the Office of the First Lady of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Ministry of Culture, the film gives a platform to elevate the kids' voices often buried under headlines and statistics.
As part of its broader mission to return deported Ukrainian children and advocate for their rights, Emile Foundation is proud to partner with "Children in the Fire” team on the impactful movement through a series of screenings and debates across Kyiv, Washington, London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Brussels, Stockholm, Copenhagen as well as in NATO and UN NYC / Geneva venues. These events will bring together diplomats, parliamentarians, media, human rights defenders, and cultural figures to spark public and political mobilization.
“This is not just a story of war. It is a story of stolen identities, childhoods denied, and resilience reborn,” - said Mariam Lambert, Director of Emile Foundation. “Every screening is an act of advocacy. Every child’s story is a demand for justice.”
The international tour of “Children in the Fire” is not just about bearing witness: it is about catalyzing political action, cross-border cooperation, and a unified response to one of the gravest violations of international humanitarian law occurring in Europe today.
About Emile Foundation:
The Emile Foundation, founded in 2011 in the Netherlands by Mariam and Samuel Lambert, is an international humanitarian organization dedicated to protecting and empowering vulnerable children. For over 15 years, it has delivered aid and built schools in Africa and Asia.
Since 2022, the Foundation has been focusing on Ukraine, where it is officially registered, delivering over 150 tons of humanitarian aid, evacuating civilians from frontline areas, and providing urgent support to children and families affected by war.
Its primary mission is addressing the plight of the 19,546 Ukrainian children forcibly deported or detained in Russia. A team of investigators, lawyers, and volunteers traces missing children, reunites families, and provides long-term aftercare. To date, the Foundation has supported over 1,200 children and assisted dozens of families on a daily basis.
The Foundation is currently focused on two urgent cases: Oleshky Boarding School (Kherson Oblast) and Kherson Home Orphanage, where mass deportations occurred. It emphasizes that aftercare is as crucial as repatriation. In the Fall of 2025, it will launch the Little Heroes Village, a rehabilitation center for children returning from deportation and for those living with trauma, autism, or disabilities.
In recognition of its work, the Foundation has received the Order of Merit, 3rd Class from President Zelenskyi, the Medal of Merit from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Order of Saint Panteleimon for outstanding humanitarian service, and the International “Voice of Peace” Award.