Maksim Shved Pro

Maksim Shved is a Belarusian documentary filmmaker, journalist, and photographer based in Warsaw, Poland. Working as a director, cinematographer, editor, and producer, he has over sixteen years of experience creating documentary films, television programs, and digital nonfiction content.

His work focuses on social and political issues, migration, identity, memory, and the experiences of Belarusians during and after the events of 2020. While documenting the Belarusian presidential election and protests, he was detained and imprisoned. Following his release and relocation to Poland, he continued producing documentaries and reportage for broadcasters and media organizations including Belsat TV, Current Time TV, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Euroradio, and The Guardian.

As a director, his films include Pure Art (2019), Route Recalculated (2020), The Center of Europe (2021), Where Is My Homeland? (2022), Artifacts: Museum of Free Belarus (2024). He has also directed numerous episodes of the long-running documentary television projects Belarusian World and Welcome to Belarus.

His work has been recognized with the Belarusian Film Critics’ Award for Best Film Director (2021), the Audience Award at WatchDocs for Route Recalculated, the Best Director Award at ArtDocFest for Pure Art, and a Special Mention at the Art of Facts Festival for Something Like a Tattoo.

Shved is a member of the Belarus Independent Film Academy and is currently developing the feature-length documentary Night of Independence Day.