The film director of the Association “Emmanuel” Tatiana Stepko received at the film festival “Steps” award for best director in a documentary series, “The generals of the streets.” Besides that her work received special prize “Inspiration in Action” program of work is marked by UN Volunteers. This recognition Tatiana Stepko received for the episode “Makarenko from Mariupol ‘, where the director telling about Gennadiy Mokhnenko, whose life is devoted to fight for the rights of children. 

The festival was held in Kharkov, March 8-11. To the attention of the competent jury were presented more than 700 film and documentaries from around the world.

“For me, a special event in my life was meeting with Gennadiy Mokhnenko – said Stepko, – a man who himself once as a child has experienced the tragedy of rejection and, like no one else, knows the problems of children thrown into the streets.” 

According to Tatyana meeting with Gennadiy Mokhnenko has made an indelible impression on her, and gave a great inspiration for the film “The generals of the streets.”  

“What amazes me is his vital energy, which translates into a great love, which fills an all-around – says an experienced filmmaker – a film about such a man can not be bad.” 

A separate award was dedicated to movie hero himself – the pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko, adoptive father of 31 children, the president of the charity fund “Pilgrim”. Human rights activists recognized his work with special diploma.  

In the May of 2011 the film “Makarenko from Mariupol “has won on the Fifth Television Festival “Discover Ukraine “in two categories.