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Ukrainian Documentary | Blind Arc | Coming in 2026
Veterans with vision loss, as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine, reclaim life through sound, memory, and film.
Blind Arc will be a powerful documentary capturing their resilience and healing, told through their voices and vision.
Directed by Rafael Cortes, it's a story of survival, dignity, and radical hope.
We are building partnerships to bring this project to life through donors, sponsors, and philanthropic support.
Follow us:
pledged of €250,000 goal
The Film
Blind Arc is a feature documentary following veterans with vision loss in Ukraine as they navigate life, reclaim independence, and rebuild their futures.
They lost their sight, but not their vision.
Through deeply personal storytelling, including sound recordings and film photography created by the veterans themselves, Blind Arc offers insight, honesty, and a first-person perspective into life after injury.
Why This Film Matters
Thousands of soldiers return from war with life-changing injuries. Yet veterans who lose their sight often become the “invisible wounded.”
This film brings their experiences into the light by challenging public perceptions of blindness, trauma, and what it means to adapt, thrive, and lead. It’s not a story of pity. It’s a story of power.
As a filmmaker and the grandson of a World War II Royal Air Force veteran who went blind later in life, this is deeply personal. I watched the world turn away from him, how invisibility replaced honour. That’s when I started asking: What does it mean to see, to be seen, and to be remembered?
Ivan Roman
Ivan Roman is a 36-year-old Ukrainian soldier from Mykolaiv whose military service began more than a decade ago, with Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine.
Surviving a Russian kamikaze drone attack, he lost his right leg, left arm, and his sight while evacuating comrades from the front line. Since then, Ivan has regained 10% vision in one eye following a corneal transplant.
Today, he trains in archery, using his teeth to draw the bow, with hopes of qualifying for the 2028 Paralympics.
With the support of his wife, Larysa, Ivan is also building Ukraine’s first blind archery team and planning the creation of a veteran-led snail farm.
The production team are currently in contact with other blind veterans in Ukraine, and plan to expand the documentary’s scope as filming continues.
First-Person Storytelling
Veterans will document their own worlds through film photography and sound — offering an intimate, first-person view of life after sight loss.
Our Funding Goals
Phase 1
Pre-Production
€30,000
Production & Post Production (Ukraine, UK)
€200,000
Contingency, Admin, Insurance, Legal
€20,000
TOTAL
€250,000
Cheese Pizza
75$
Special blend of 100% natural cheeses, homemade tomato sauce, and your choice of crust.
Margarita Pizza
75$
Mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, garlic, olive oil, and zesty tomato sauce.
Veggie Alfredo Pizza
75$
Sautéed broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, diced tomatoes on alfredo sauce, topped with scallions and cheese.
Veggie Pizza
75$
Cheese, mushrooms, fresh onion, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, tomato, and garlic.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
75$
Special BBQ sauce, grilled marinated chicken breast, fresh red onions, and topped with a blend of cheeses.
The Meatster
75$
Pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, salami, ham, bacon, and topped with cheese.
Minestrone Soup
75$
Bacon rashers, carrot, celery, garlic, chopped tomatoes, red beans, small shell pasta, parsley.
Green Coconut Soup
75$
Olive oil, shalalot, ginger, garlic, peas, spinach, coconut milk, coriander, sliced fresh red chili.
Chicken Noodle Soup
75$
Vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, chicken breast, carrot, onions, soy sauce, corn, noodles, coriander leaves.
Pulled Pork Soup
75$
Olive oil, pork, red capsicum, onions, garlic, oregano leaves, cumin, coriander, tomato paste, black beans.
Creamy Mushroom Soup
75$
Chopped mushrooms, potatoes, brown onion, garlic, pure cream, butter, extra virgin olive oil.
Antipasta Salad
75$
Lettuce, tomatoes, salami, provolone cheese, tuna, olives, red peppers, pepperoni, pepperoncini, hard-boiled eggs, and artichokes
This is a non-profit fundraising model.
Funds are used solely for production, fair team compensation, and global impact.
No financial returns are expected – contributions power real-world change.
Filming in Ukraine (starting September 2025)
Hire crew, secure locations, and equipment
Cover edit, sound mix, and subtitles
Ensure safe travel, production insurance, and accessibility
Lay the foundation for the next phase of the project
We are actively filming as Ivan Roman's Story Unfolds
This project is being developed in real time – we are not waiting for full funding to begin.
Right now, Ivan is awaiting a new prosthetic leg, preparing for a major archery competition, and working with us to train and build Ukraine’s first team of blind archers.
These are urgent, life-changing moments, and our Blind Arc team is committed to documenting them as they happen.
Your support helps us continue capturing these powerful, unscripted chapters as the story develops.
What Comes Next - Phase 2
Once we reach post-production, we’ll launch Phase 2 of our fundraising campaign to support the wider release, distribution, and long-term impact of Blind Arc.
This next phase will help us:● Submit to major film festivals in the UK, Europe, and internationally● Develop a targeted outreach and impact campaign in collaboration with veteran organisations, rehabilitation centres, and educators● Create a powerful educational toolkit with immersive audio, interviews, and learning materials for schools, universities, and community groups● Ensure full accessibility through subtitles, audio description, and community screenings
We’ll share more details about Phase 2 in early 2026 once post-production is underway – including new ways to get involved, support, and help us bring Blind Arc to audiences around the world.
Supporter Credit
Supporter Film Credit – €20Your name in the “Supporters / Thank You” section of the websiteDigital only
Estimated delivery: March 2026
(5000 remaining out of 5000)
€20.00
Tactile Art
Tactile Art Postcard from the film, limited to 1/250 and your name in the "Thank You" section of the film credits
Physical delivery
Estimated delivery: June 2026
(250 remaining out of 250)
€100.00
Signed Original Film Photo by Ivan Roman
One-of-a-kind, limited-edition Fujifilm print taken by veteran Ivan Roman
Signed by the film’s protagonist Ivan Roman
Physical delivery
Estimated delivery: April 2026
(50 remaining out of 50)
€1,000.00
Associate Producer
You’re helping shape this story from the ground up.A credit that honours your support at a defining stage of the film.Associate Producer credit in closing film credits.Name listed in official press kit + IMDbPrivate preview of the rough cut + online Q&A with the directorDigital & physical reward package
Estimated delivery: Summer 2026
(2 remaining out of 2)
€30,000.00
Sponsor Package
Align your name or organisation with a powerful documentary about resilience and recovery.
Invitation to a private sponsor roundtable with the director
Two signed art prints from the film
Name or organisation listed on official website + end credits under Sponsors
Digital & physical reward package
Estimated delivery: Summer 2026
(3 remaining out of 3)
€20,000.00
Executive Producer
You are a key backer making this film possible.
Your name will appear in both the opening and closing credits, as well as the official press kit.
Executive Producer credit on the final film
Name listed in official press kit + IMDb
Private preview of the final cut + exclusive Q&A with the director
Digital & physical reward package
Estimated delivery: Summer 2026
(2 remaining out of 2)
€75,000.00
Questions? Ideas? Interested in partnering? Get in touch: