Through the lens of war: Evgeny Afineevsky’s fight for hope
BY California Stories Staff Los Angeles – Giselle Fernandez
PUBLISHED 5:00 AM PT Aug. 16, 2026
Filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky has built his career telling stories from some of the world’s most difficult places.
His work has taken him into war zones and dangerous situations, including an alleged poisoning in 2015 that nearly cost him his life. But his determination to document history began much earlier.
At 13 years old, he discovered his passion for filmmaking after making a deal with his stepfather to wash dishes for a year in exchange for a Super 8 camera. At 18, he left the former Soviet Union alone for Israel, unsure if he would ever see his family again.
“It was tough because when I left, I never knew if I will see my family again,” he said. “It was like diving into the deep ocean and you’re on your own, alone.”
His films, such as “Winter on Fire,” “Cries from Syria” and “Freedom on Fire,” have documented war and human suffering, but Afineevsky has also searched for hope.
That journey led him to the late Pope Francis, with whom he developed a close relationship while making “Francesco.”
The experience became personal for Afineevsky, who says Pope Francis’ example helped him become more open, patient and humble.
“The process of making the movie was a healing process,” he said, “It’s helped me on a lot of aspects to heal.”
Today, Afineevsky is focused on the children of Ukraine, whose lives have been devastated by war. His latest film, “Ash and Crayons,” tells the stories of children who have endured unimaginable trauma, while also showing their resilience and hope.
For Afineevsky, their stories are a reminder that the future belongs to them, and that the world still has a responsibility to act.
“Each of these kids can make us to believe in the future,” he said. “We need to act today because tomorrow needs to be for this generation.”