The International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) has announced that Mstyslav Chernov, a Ukrainian video journalist, will receive the IBC2024 International Honour for Excellence for his groundbreaking film, “20 Days in Mariupol.” The film, a powerful testament to the human cost of war, documents the harrowing siege of Mariupol by Russian forces in early 2022.
The award recognizes Chernov’s unwavering dedication to truth and his exceptional skills as a filmmaker. Chernov, who is also the President of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPF), was one of the last international media representatives to remain in Mariupol during the siege. His video materials formed the foundation for “20 Days in Mariupol,” his first feature film, produced with support from the Associated Press (AP) and PBS’s Frontline.
“People are at the heart of our industry, which exists to support those who want to speak to the world,” said Michael Crimp, IBC’s CEO. “In honouring Mstyslav Chernov with this year’s IHFE for his work as a war correspondent, video journalist and filmmaker, we are recognising the courage, creativity, skill and determination he has shown in capturing some of the most affecting stories we have seen in the last few years. At a time when it is critical to produce video that reveals the reality of conflicts around the world and challenges the fake news and disinformation being disseminated, Mstyslav and the teams he works with exemplify integrity and the best in our industry.”
The film serves as a stark reminder of the importance of video in combatting misinformation in an era of deepfakes and false reporting. “20 Days in Mariupol” draws on Chernov’s daily news dispatches and additional footage to offer a powerful glimpse into the lives of civilians trapped in the siege. The award ceremony will take place on September 15th at the RAI Amsterdam.