FAIRFIELD–Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Westport community has generously supported its Ukrainian sister city, Lyman, through Ukraine Aid International (UAI.)

Now UAI, in partnership with Fairfield Theatre Company, invites the community to a one-night U.S. premier screening of the Ukrainian documentary “Second Wind” on Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. The film offers viewers an opportunity to witness the resilience of  Ukrainians, before the film’s general release on the festival circuit.

Directed by Masha Kondakova, “Second Wind” (2025) follows five wounded Ukrainian veterans, including four soldiers with prosthetic limbs and a severely injured female sniper, as they attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

From the battlefields of Ukraine to the roof of Africa, the film captures an extraordinary journey of resilience, recovery, and human strength.

“This is not a film about war – it is a film about what comes after,” said Gennadiy Gazin, writer and producer of “Second Wind”. “It’s about rebuilding, redefining limits, and finding a way forward.”

The film premiered to over a million viewers on Ukrainian national television, despite ongoing air alerts, bombardment, and blackouts. It has since been featured in exclusive screenings across major global capitals, including Washington, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, and Brussels, reaching over 2,000 ambassadors, policymakers, and international leaders, with screenings at NATO Headquarters and the European Parliament.

As Wladimir Klitschko (former world heavyweight boxing champion and brother of Kyiv City Mayor Vitali Klitschko) noted:

“This film isn’t just about the mountains we all have to climb in our lives. It’s a reminder that no matter how deep the wound or how steep the path, the human spirit can always find a way to the top.”

The film is recommended for audiences ages 12 and up.

Event Details

• Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
• Location: Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St, Fairfield
• 6:30 PM: Doors open
• 7:00 PM: Film screening
• Post-film: Q&A with writer/producer Gennadiy Gazin
• Phone: (203) 259-1036

Tickets here.

About Ukraine Aid International

Ukraine Aid International is a U.S.-based nonprofit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer in 2022, to deliver humanitarian aid directly to frontline communities in Ukraine.

By building Sister City and Sister State partnerships, UAI connects American communities with Ukrainian municipalities in need – ensuring fast, efficient, and meaningful support. To date, UAI has helped deliver essential aid to more than 450,000 people in Ukraine.