Mstyslav Chernov

Mstyslav Chernov, born in 1985, is a distinguished Ukrainian filmmaker, war correspondent, and photojournalist. His remarkable career has been marked by his courageous coverage of significant global events, including the Revolution of Dignity, the War in Donbas, and the tragic downing of flight MH17. Chernov's work has also taken him to the frontlines of the Syrian civil war, the Battle of Mosul in Iraq, and the ongoing conflict stemming from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly during the harrowing Siege of Mariupol.

For his exceptional reporting during the Siege of Mariupol, Chernov was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, among numerous other accolades. His contributions to journalism have earned him prestigious honors such as the Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award, the Knight International Journalism Award, and the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award. His video materials from Mariupol served as the foundation for the acclaimed film '20 Days in Mariupol,' which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023, winning the Audience Award in the World Cinema Documentary category.

In addition to the accolades for the film, Chernov's work has been recognized with a BAFTA Award for Best Documentary and the Best Documentary Feature Film at the ninety-sixth Academy Awards. He also received the Directors Guild of America Award for his outstanding direction. In 2023, he shared the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service with fellow journalists Evgeniy Maloletka, Vasilisa Stepanenko, and Lori Hinnant, further solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary journalism.

As an Associated Press journalist and the President of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, Chernov is deeply committed to the integrity of journalism. He has been a member of 'Ukrainian PEN' since July 2022, reflecting his dedication to freedom of expression and the importance of storytelling in times of conflict.