The EAJC-supported film '263 Nights' has received an award at the Moscow Jewish Film Festival

Photo: Moscow Jewish Film Festival

From October 3 to 12, the 7th Moscow Jewish Film Festival took place. The film "263 Nights," supported by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, won the award for Best Documentary Short Film. The complete list of categories is available on the film festival website.

"263 Nights" is a unique international co-production involving Belarus, Russia, and Israel. It depicts the story of 26 people who spent 263 days and nights hiding in a dug-out basement to escape the horrors of the Nazi occupation. This is a story about human ordeal, the struggle for survival, personal sacrifice, and the tragedies of World War II.

The animated film artistically renders the accounts of survivors who endured the Nazi ghetto and the Holocaust. Their testimonies are shared in the hope of preserving this memory not only for their descendants but for the wider public.

The project was implemented with the participation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the National Film Studio "Belarusfilm," the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), Eva Group, and the Vladimir Bokun Studio, with information support from "Nativ" — the Israeli Cultural Center at the Embassy of the State of Israel in the Russian Federation.

"By recounting a unique, harrowing, yet deeply moving story, the film '263 Nights' offers a new perspective on the events of the Holocaust. Introducing new narratives and historical facts enriches the ongoing discourse and ensures it remains active. In the modern era, it is crucial to present such historical episodes through innovative formats, particularly visual arts, which play an essential role in depicting complex themes. The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress considers the commemoration of the Holocaust to be one of its core priorities, and we are honored to support this project," stated EAJC President, businessman, and philanthropist Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.

The film was executive produced by Vladimir Karachevsky (Belarus) and co-produced by Dr. Haim Ben-Yakov (Israel), Dmitry Brodsky, and Dmitry Sinov (Russia). The screenplay was written by Konstantin Andryushechkin, based on a literary work by Boris Gersten. The director is Irina Tarasova, and the art director is Anna Emelyanova (Belarus). The music was composed by Yuri Povolotsky (Israel), with sound design by Viktor Mors (Russia). The voiceover narration is performed by People's Artist of Russia Aristarkh Livanov.