The Cranes Call On SBS On Demand

THE CRANES CALL, a heart pounding documentary about the mission to secure accountability for war crimes in Ukraine, will have its Australian premiere on SBS On Demand on 24 July 2025. The film is produced by HiddenLight Productions, the company founded by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sam Branson and Chelsea Clinton and is directed by Laura Warner and produced by Australian filmmaker Evan Williams.

In this real time crime thriller set in a war zone, Laura Warner embeds with war crimes investigator Anya Neistat and her team as they track down a group of survivors bold enough to take a stand against those accused of committing the most heinous crimes of rape, torture and murder against their families.

Working with the Clooney Foundation for Justice, led by Amal and George Clooney, Anya joins forces with Solomiia Stasiv, a young Ukrainian woman just entering the field after witnessing the brutal invasion of her homeland. Together, they document evidence of human rights abuses in the fight to bring Russian commanders and soldiers to trial, and justice to the Ukrainian people.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko,  Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia & New Zealand comments: "The Cranes Call is an important film about important work - the chronicling of the ethnocidal war crimes endured by Ukrainians as part of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion since 2022. As I write these comments, Kyiv, a modern European capital, is again under a major aerial assault. Thousands of civilians at risk of death are taking cover in the city's Metro stations. It is a stark reminder, as if one were still needed, of evil in action. If we are ever to break this cycle of vicious violence, good must also come into action. That is precisely the work of those who document war crimes and strive for accountability from its perpetrators. I commend 'Cranes Call' to all viewers. By watching, you are part of the pursuit of justice for the innocent victims."

Malinda Wink, Executive Director of Minderoo Pictures comments: "The Cranes Call showcases the extraordinary bravery of war crimes investigators Anya Niestat and Solomiia Stasiv as they document war crimes and pursue justice for ordinary people impacted by the war on Ukraine." 

"Minderoo Pictures funds film for impact, and we hope that this film and campaign will inspire Australian legal professionals to support their (Niestat and Stasiv) efforts through the docket process, helping ensure that the voices of victims are heard and perpetrators are held to account."

THE CRANES CALL will be available to stream free on SBS On Demand from 24 July.