Welcome to Chechnya

This documentary goes undercover to expose the brutal anti-LGBTQ+ purge happening in Chechnya. It follows a group of courageous activists who risk their lives to rescue gay men and women from detention camps and state-sanctioned violence. The film captures their harrowing escape and the struggle for survival in a region where homosexuality is brutally persecuted.

Welcome to Chechnya was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its bravery, urgency, and unflinching look at a hidden human rights crisis. Critics praised its powerful storytelling and the immense courage of both the subjects and the filmmakers.

• A vital and urgent documentary that shines a light on a hidden persecution.

• Praised for its incredible bravery and impactful storytelling.

• An essential film that demands to be seen.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly lauded the film for its courage, importance, and the critical attention it brings to the LGBTQ+ persecution in Chechnya. Many found it profoundly moving and essential viewing.

Nominated for Outstanding Documentary Feature at the 2021 GLAAD Media Awards, won Best Documentary at the 2020 Seville International Film Festival, and won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2020 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

The film employed innovative digital face-swapping technology to protect the identities of its subjects, ensuring their safety during and after the production.