Animals in War, a new anthology film featuring Sean Penn and a song by Imagine Dragons, debuted on June 8th, 2025 at the Tribeca Festival in New York. Developed by around 500 Ukrainian and international filmmakers, the film consists of seven short films, with stories centering on the tragedy of animals whose lives have been changed by the war in Ukraine.
The world premiere of the Ukrainian-German anthology film Animals in War took place on June 8, 2025, at the international independent film festival, Tribeca Festival in New York. The lead role in one of the film’s segments was played by Sean Penn.
Animals in War is a collection of seven short films, most of which are based on true events. Each story centers on the tragedy of animals whose lives have been changed by war. The anthology encompasses various genres and narrative styles, all united by a common theme — compassion.
The anthology was developed over the course of two years by around 500 Ukrainian and international filmmakers. The film was produced by Oleg Kokhan and Oleksiy Makukhin, while the opening episode was directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, whose film The Tribe was showcased at more than 100 film festivals worldwide. The soundtrack to the anthology features the song Burn Out by the American band Imagine Dragons.
One of the project’s partners is the social initiative Save Pets of Ukraine, part of the international U-Hearts Foundation platform, founded in 2022 by Ukrainian pet food manufacturer Kormotech. U-Hearts Foundation collects support from international donors and channels it toward Ukrainian animal welfare organizations, shelters, and volunteers working to save animals during the war.
“The way a nation treats animals is a clear marker of its level of civilization, and the test of humanity that we face daily reveals our values just as much as military victories,” says Animals in War creator and producer Oleg Kokhan. “Our collaboration with Save Pets of Ukraine and Kormotech is a vivid example of how socially responsible business and the arts can work together effectively to amplify these urgent topics and resonate with audiences around the world.”
The impact of war on animals often remains outside the focus of public attention. Ukraine still only has official statistics for 2022. According to estimates by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, around 6 million domestic animals died that year. In frontline and occupied regions, animals are forced to survive under conditions of hunger, stress, and constant danger. They lose their homes and the people who cared for them, ending up on the streets or in shelters.
According to a study by Save Pets of Ukraine and Kormotech, conducted in 2023, the number of animals in shelters and under the care of animal welfare volunteers has surged since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion: By 20–30% in areas away from the front lines, by 60% among volunteers, and by 100% or more in shelters in frontline areas. In 2023 alone, nearly 26,000 dogs and 20,000 cats in Ukraine were under the care of shelters and volunteers — and those numbers have only continued to rise.
Another of the most devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine has been the destruction of ecosystems: Mined forests, polluted water bodies, and ravaged nature reserves are depriving animals of their natural habitats — and often, of any chance of survival. Animals in War portrays war as both a humanitarian and ecological disaster, one that knows no borders and is relevant to the entire world. The creators of the anthology convey this not through scenes of combat, but through the wordless suffering of animals caught in a human conflict.
“Animals in War draws attention to a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of war — its impact on the environment and animal life,” expresses Rostyslav Vovk, CEO and Co-founder of Kormotech. “For us, supporting the creation of Animals in War is a natural extension of our mission as a pet food producer: to foster a responsible attitude toward animals and to make their lives better.”
Save Pets of Ukraine has funded the rescue of animals from frontline regions and delivered 1,900 tons of food to shelters and volunteers caring for cats and dogs saved from combat zones. The organization also helped find new homes for over 2,000 animals left without care due to the war and facilitated more than 21,000 vaccinations.
As part of the Animals in War film release, Save Pets of Ukraine is launching the campaign “We save animals — animals save us.” This charitable initiative will raise funds for the U-Hearts Foundation to support animals in Ukraine. A QR code linking to the fundraiser will appear in the anthology’s end credits, allowing every viewer to contribute.
