A coffee business turned into a humanitarian mission.
Sibs is a short documentary about a Ukrainian coffee business transformed by war into a humanitarian mission.
The story
Yulia and her brother Andrey built Sibs as a coffee-roasting company in Ukraine, eventually opening two coffee shops and becoming part of their local community. After Russia’s invasion, the company’s purpose changed as the siblings responded to the needs around them.
An interview built on trust
During filming, Yulia spoke openly about the war and the loss surrounding it. When the emotion became overwhelming, production stopped so she could take a break with her husband. That moment reinforced an essential documentary principle: when someone opens their heart, the filmmaker’s first responsibility is to the person—not the schedule.
Kai Films’ approach
Derek Johnson worked as interviewing producer and cinematographer and edited the finished piece. The film uses one family’s experience to make a distant conflict personal, while preserving the dignity and agency of the people sharing their story.
Watch the film
Watch Sibs on Vimeo On Demand.
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