Brace for Oblivion: Filmmaking on the Frontlines with Xackery Irving

“Inside Ukraine’s war zone, a filmmaker captures courage, chaos, and the cost of truth.”

Xackery is a New York–based director and producer, drawn to stories that unfold in times of crisis, where resilience and identity intersect. His debut documentary, American Chain Gang, exposed controversial forced-labor prison programs in the U.S. His follow-up, Nothing Without You, explored memory, loss, and obsession.

And now, with his latest film, Brace for Oblivion, he brings us an immersive chronicle from the Ukrainian frontlines, filmed over three years, following seven citizen-soldiers through the cycles of combat and rare moments of homecoming.

Beyond his films, Xackery co-chairs the Producers Guild of America’s Employment Committee and actively supports the international indie film community.

In our conversation, we’ll cover the power of pivoting as a producer, trusting your storytelling instincts, navigating today’s marketplace, and building strong creative teams. And of course, we’ll dive into the craft of writing, shooting, and editing documentaries under extraordinary circumstances.