SYNOPSIS
NOT REFUGEES follows the untold journey of Ukrainian families who fled war and arrived in Canada under emergency programs — only to find themselves trapped in limbo. Offered temporary permits but no path to permanent residence, they work, contribute, and raise children while living under the constant threat of removal. With raw interviews, frontline access, and powerful visual storytelling, the film spotlights both the generosity of Canadians and the shortcomings of a system that welcomes without committing.
It features stories like Cathy, a Canadian mother who opened her home to 12 displaced children, and David, a construction boss fighting for the workers rebuilding Canada’s Parliament, who may be deported at any time.
But this isn’t just about Canada. NOT REFUGEES shines a light on a global pattern of compassion with limits. In the UK, Germany, the U.S., and beyond, Ukrainians face policies that offer shelter but not security.
Video Player with Trailer
WHY THIS MATTERS
It’s not the dry statistics. It represents millions of shattered lives, millions of stories of people forced to leave everything behind just to survive. Their homes are now foreign lands, and their only hope is to either return one day or build a new life. But without stability or clear prospects, this existence becomes an endless waiting game.
In Canada, thousands of Ukrainians live in limbo. They work, pay taxes, and try to build their lives here, but have no idea what their future holds. Their status is temporary, their rights are limited, and their future is uncertain. This lack of clarity eats away at them, leaving them feeling like strangers even in the most welcoming country.
For children, this is especially cruel. They’ve already lost their homes, their friends, their familiar lives. And now, just as they begin to settle into a new country, they face the threat of being uprooted once more if their families can’t stay. This trauma leaves scars that last a lifetime.
Programs like CUAET were meant as emergency relief, a stopgap. But when temporary drugs are used for too long, they start to break people. The lack of long-term pathways creates ongoing stress, depression, and a loss of trust in the system. Temporary solutions without lasting outcomes don’t just patch wounds — they create permanent scars.
“I have personally spoken to a lot of Canadians, and all of them think that Ukrainians came here as refugees, but this is far from the truth.
The truth is that Citizenship, Refugees and Immigration Canada simply didn't have the resources, fast enough processing times to help these people to come here as privately sponsored or government-sponsored refugees. Instead, a different path was created. The Ukrainians were issued temporary work permits so they could go here, start rebuilding their lives from scratch, and often with little more than the clothes on their backs.”
Maria Valenta
Advocate for Ukrainians, Immigration Consultant
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
Help us finish this film and amplify the voices of families caught between war and policy.
You can help change the future for those who have already lost everything.
This film gives voice to the unheard and puts pressure on the system.
Final production & editing
Film Festivals application fees
Licensing, translations, and legal clearances
Global awareness campaign + policy lobbying
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Every action counts. Here’s how you can stand with Ukrainian families still searching for stability
VELBIX FILMS
This is a team of caring and talented people who came together for one goal - to show the real story of
immigrants from Ukraine in Canada. Their work is an act of remembrance, empathy and hope.
Serge Velbovets
Film Director
Serge Velbovets is an award-winning film director. Having a background in media and journalism, he creates films, documentaries and commercials based on a deep understanding of human nature. Having started his career in Europe and continued in North America, Serge Velbovets unites an in-depth approach to the psychology of storytelling, creative visual aesthetics, and modern Hollywood trends in film production.
His films have been screened at film festivals around the world, including the USA, Canada, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Scotland, Greece, India, and Japan, and have won multiple awards. Serge directed and filmed in North America, Europe, Australia and South Korea
Maria Valenta is the founder of one of Canada’s largest immigration firms, where she has helped hundreds of people find a new home. As an advocate for displaced families, she helped bring 10 Ukrainian foster families to Canada at no cost, each caring for 3 to 9 children. Over the past three years, she has led numerous pro bono initiatives to help Ukrainians navigate the challenges of building a new life in Canada.
Maria is also a musician and creative storyteller. Her video sharing the miraculous birth of her daughter, born at just 24 weeks and 370 grams, has been viewed over 15 million times on YouTube. She later produced a music video inspired by this journey and has appeared in several other creative projects as a producer or actress.
"NOT Refugees" is Maria’s debut documentary and a deeply personal vision brought to life. Beyond advocacy and film, Maria leads women’s circles and retreats in Spain and Canada as a consciousness coach. Her mission is to help people begin again — whether in a new country, in their bodies, or their lives.
Maria Valenta
Producer
Marco Robinson
Co-producer
Co-producer - Sir Marco Robinson Sir Marco Robinson is a multi-award-winning filmmaker, producer, and storyteller with a passion for creating films that inspire change. As co-producer of the Netflix USA Top 2 action film Legacy of Lies, his work blends compelling narratives with strong visual impact. With a background in both film and media, Marco brings a depth of experience and creative insight to every project he joins. His dedication to socially conscious storytelling and real-world impact makes him a powerful collaborator on Not Refugees. In addition to his work in film, Marco is the author of the bestselling book Start Over – Turn Any Loss Into a Sensational Comeback, a practical and uplifting guide to resilience. The book offers readers powerful tools to navigate hardship and transform personal setbacks into new beginnings.
Jessica Anno is a passionate and visionary assistant director and vocal coach, whose decade-long journey in the arts has shaped a deeply intuitive approach to storytelling. With a rare sensitivity and bold visual imagination, she brings an instinct for narrative that elevates every project she touches. Whether guiding voices or shaping cinematic stories, Jessica’s work captures the raw emotion and unspoken rhythms that bring human connection to life.
Jessica Anno
Assistant Director
Louisa Khovanski
Executive Producer
Executive Producer Louisa Khovanski is a model, influencer, and content creator with a large following across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and Twitch. With millions of views across her platforms, she has built a strong connection with a global audience. She has also helped raise thousands of dollars in donations for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Red Cross in Ukraine. As someone whose permanent residence application under humanitarian and compassionate grounds has been stuck for over a year, she is directly affected by the issues explored in NOT REFUGEES. As Executive Producer, she is helping to raise awareness and support for the film and the broader movement for change.
Alex Steingardt - Ukrainian artist currently living in Canadian legal limbo, Alex brings a deeply personal connection to the themes of Not Refugees. A musician and composer with many years of experience in media, his passion lies in creating immersive soundscapes and emotionally resonant experiences through music and sound. His exploration of music and sound design has naturally expanded into motion design and VFX, which now play a vital role in his creative process—shaping rich, layered audiovisual narratives. Alex approaches each project with fresh eyes and a deeply intuitive style. He doesn’t just compose music—he lets it reveal itself through him.
Alex Steingard
Music Composer
Anastasiia Nizelnyk
Marketing Specialist
Anastasiia Nizelnyk is a graphic designer by education and a marketer at heart. She began her journey in the creative industry with UX-UI design, but over time, she delved deeper into the world of visual storytelling, content marketing, and audience communication.
Today, Anastasiia specializes in social media promotion and crafting video content that captures attention from the very first second — not through advertising, but through thoughtful delivery, striking visuals, and a keen understanding of audience behavior. Her goal is not just reach, but real engagement, connection, and organic growth.
Beyond her digital work, Anastasiia is also an artist. She paints custom clothing, creates original artworks, and brings a sense of individuality, depth, and emotion to every piece she touches.
faq
01
How many Ukrainians have arrived in Canada since the start of the full-scale war?
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, between 150,000 and 300,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada under a special program. This represents one of the largest waves of forced migration in Canada’s recent history.
03
Are Ukrainians considered official refugees?
No. Most Ukrainians do not hold official refugee status. They arrived in Canada on temporary residence work permits through the CUAET program and do not receive the same social support as government-sponsored refugees. They are responsible for supporting themselves and their families from the start.
05
How is the situation of Ukrainians different from other immigrants?
Ukrainians were forced to leave abruptly. Many had stable lives and careers in Ukraine but had to start from scratch in Canada. Unlike other immigrants, they did not plan migration, often arrived with little or no English, and had minimal resources.
07
How are Ukrainian children adapting in Canada?
Children adapt quickly to the new environment, learning English and building friendships. However, parents worry about the trauma of returning to Ukraine, as many children now consider Canada home. Returning would mean a second displacement and significant psychological stress.
02
Under what program are Ukrainians coming to Canada?
Following the start of the war, Canada launched a special program called the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). This emergency humanitarian initiative grants Ukrainians temporary authorization to stay, work, and study in Canada for up to three years.
04
What immigration pathways to permanent residency are available to Ukrainians?
Many Ukrainians do not qualify through Canada’s point-based economic immigration system. One of the few available options is to apply on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds, but the process is long and subjective, current processing times are 22 months and there is always a risk of refusal since immigration officer has discretionary rights.
06
How do Ukrainians contribute to Canadian society and the economy?
Ukrainians are actively working, paying taxes, starting small businesses, and contributing to sectors like construction, housing, education, and healthcare. Employers often say their companies wouldn’t survive without Ukrainian workers. These people are contributors, not a burden.
08
What challenges do Ukrainians face in Canada?
Key challenges include:
- No clear path to permanent residency;
- Language barriers;
- Psychological stress due to uncertainty;
- Inability to plan for the future (housing, children, careers);
- Difficulty securing housing and employment;
- Emotional impact from war and forced migration.