Feature Film AFIN 301
OXYGEN STATION
Directed by 
Ivan Tymchenko
AFIN 2025 Nominee · 3 nominations
- 2025
- 1h 46m
-
Ukraine - Ukrainian
- PG
Stills
2 frames
Nominee
Best Art Direction
Part of this film's cast or crew? Let us know to add or correct credits, genres or details. Filmmaker sign-in opens with the claim email at Awards Night, 19 September 2026.
Credits
Produced by
Cinematography
Music & Sound
Synopsis
1980, USSR, Crimean Tatar activist Mustafa Jemilev, exiled to the remote settlement of Zyryanka in Siberia, is forced to work at an oxygen station. Mustafa, who had been exiled as a child from his homeland of Crimea, continues to fight for the rights of his people, despite being imprisoned for 303 days after a hunger strike. The prosecutor, Ehor Shalandin, sees Mustafa as a threat to the Soviet regime and travels to Zyryanka to eliminate him.
Amidst this, Crimean Tatar woman Safinar, inspired by Mustafa’s resilience, leaves everything behind to meet him and bring him support and love. When a journalist is murdered in Zyryanka, Mustafa is accused, but his fight for freedom remains unbroken. In this tense struggle, the battle between oppressive state power and the unyielding human spirit is set to ignite, proving that the true freedom lies within.
Director's Statement
Mustafa Jemilev is an extraordinary figure. While many educated people know of him, I felt the urge to make a film about him in 2014 when Russia occupied Crimea. Mustafa’s life became metaphorically like Sisyphus’ labor: he dedicated everything to his mission of returning the Crimean Tatars to their homeland. In 1991, when Ukraine gained independence, this dream was realized. Yet in 2014, history repeated itself with Russia’s occupation of Crimea, and Mustafa was once again banned from his homeland. At a time when we need stories of heroes who fought and won, Mustafa’s story is incredibly inspiring. In this film, we highlight a pivotal chapter of his life - his extraordinary meeting with his wife Safinar, a relationship that defied all odds and has lasted for over 50 years. This is a story of resilience, love, and unbreakable spirit that continues to inspire to this day.
What makes this one special
- Nominated in 3 AFIN categoriesBest Art Direction · Best Cinematography · Best Feature Film
From the Judges
From the Judges
The cinematography reaches a rare level here, with continuous camera movements and stunning wide shots that find beauty in a vast, unforgiving landscape, and inventive use of reflections and blocking to shape the space. Its period costume and art direction are impeccable, layered with subtle historic detail that transports you fully into the era. The panel found the performances thoroughly believable and the whole production richly transporting.
Director's Biography
Ivan Tymchenko Director
Ivan Tymchenko was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, into a family of artists - his father is a renowned cinematographer, and his grandparents were painters. Ivan began his career as a photojournalist and commercial photographer before transitioning to filmmaking in 2009. He initially worked as a Director of Photography (DOP), later taking on the role of directing DOP, and eventually becoming a director.
His debut feature, Beshoot (2019), a war action drama, was released in Ukraine and gained international acclaim. Ivan’s second feature, Oxygen Station (2023), premiered in the official competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and won a Special Jury Mention for Best Director at the Odesa International Film Festival. The film continues its successful festival run.
Trailer
Fuller cast & crew
Khrystyna Deilyk 
Viktor Poltoratskyi 
Vasyl Kukharskyi 
Edem Ibadullaiev 
Serhii Petko
Screenplay
- Mykhaylo Brynykh
Details and imagery from The Movie Database This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Official laurels
Each recognition carries a permanent, verifiable AFIN credential - a link a filmmaker can put on a CV - plus a downloadable laurel for posters and press kits.
Nominee toolkit
Everything you need to share and credit this recognition.
Ready-made announcement
Copy this for your socials, newsletter or press kit.
OXYGEN STATION was an official Nominee for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Feature Film at the AFIN International Film Festival 2025, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
Add it to IMDb
IMDb adds festival awards from the festival's event page, not from your film's page.
- Open the AFIN International Film Festival event page on IMDb and choose the 2025 edition.
- Choose Edit (contribute), then Awards, and add your film under the category (Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Feature Film) with the outcome shown on your laurels above.
- Submit. IMDb reviews it and publishes it to the event page and to your film's page.