Ireland Heads to the Oscars With "Sanatorium," a Powerful Story About War Filmed in Ukraine

The Irish film Sanatorium, directed by Gar O’Rourke and shot in Ukraine, has been selected as Ireland’s official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

The announcement was made by the Irish Film and Television Academy on August 19.

Sanatorium offers a detailed look at the Kuyalnik Sanatorium, a large 1970s-era health resort near Odesa in southern Ukraine. Despite the ongoing war, the facility continues to function, providing mud treatments and Soviet-era therapies to visitors seeking rest and recovery. Its main attraction is the well-known black mud, traditionally believed to help with infertility, physical disabilities, and various other ailments.

Through the lens of an Irish filmmaker, the film captures the rhythm of a summer season at this unique place. O’Rourke follows the staff, who devote themselves to caring for visitors, providing both comfort and entertainment, even as the sound of war echoes not far away. For the guests, Kuyalnik becomes more than a sanatorium—it is a space of renewal, a chance to reclaim joy and strength in a time of uncertainty.

The film had its world premiere in late March at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival. Since then, it has traveled the international festival circuit, appearing at Visions du Réel in Switzerland, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, DocuDays UA in Kyiv, the Melbourne International Film Festival, and the Galway Film Fleadh.

At Galway, Sanatorium was awarded Best Irish Feature Documentary of 2025—a recognition that further cements its place as a contender on the global stage.

Earlier, the teaser for Dovzhenko, a historical drama directed by Kostiantyn Konovalov, premiered at the Marché du Film during the 78th Cannes International Film Festival.

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