Al Jazeera | Ukraine's Refugee Chess Prodigy

Maksym is a 9-year-old Ukrainian chess prodigy who dreams of being a grandmaster by age 12. Today, he lives as a refugee with his mother in Yorkshire while competing in tournaments across the country. But his family’s financial situation is making these trips, and life in the UK, increasingly uncertain. This short documentary captures a weekend in the life of Maksym and his mother, Iryna.

Nominated for a 2024 One World Media award.

Commissioner: Al Jazeera
Executive Producer: Tierney Bonini
Producers: Mary Pattisson & Dan Hodgson
Director: Kateryna Pavlyuk
DOP: Julia Alcamo