A group of five people standing on rubble with a blue sky background, seen in front of architectural outlines. The text reads 'The Architects of Hope' and 'The First Steps in Rebuilding Ukraine'.

Paul Thomas

The Architects of Hope: The First Steps in Rebuilding Ukraine

The film follows 5 architects on their determined journeys to continue creating & building during wartime, as they seek a new people-focused identity for Ukrainian architecture. While Russia continues to turn former Ukrainian cities to dust, Ukraine’s leading architects are already building upwards & advanced new buildings are rising again as symbols of hope. Schools, hospitals and new homes are not only taking shape, but each new project is a chance to use adversity to create a wellspring of new creative solutions that move modern architecture forward.

July 12, 2025
11 AM-3 PM

Court Square Theater
44-02 23rd St, Long Island City

A middle-aged man with short, light brown hair and a slight smile, wearing a brown t-shirt, standing outdoors with blurred background.

Paul Thomas is a Grieson Nominated, multi-award winning director, best known for American: The Bill Hicks Story – the UK's 2nd highest grossing theatrical documentary in 2010. After training as an architect, Paul worked in live TV before moving to BBC Comedy, working with Sacha Baron Cohen, Katherine Tate, Sharon Horgan, and then moving via factual entertainment into longer form feature documentary work.

Other documentary work includes Shadows of Sofia, 2018, Prince William Uncovered, 2003 Big Brother's Little Wedding, 2003 Series Director–C4 Animation Season, 2000, 2001. The Architecture Show, Discovery 1998. AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story was Grierson & Cinema Eye nominated and was also nominated for Best Documentary at the International Press Academy Awards. The film won Best Documentary awards at Dallas Film Festival, LA Film Festival, Little Rock, & Biografilm, Italy.

Damaged multi-story building with a partially collapsed roof and charred walls, snow on the debris, and surrounding trees on a city street.
A man stands on a sidewalk looking at a large, multi-story building under construction, with a crane on top, parked cars along the street, and trees to the left, under a clear blue sky with sunlight.
Two men in winter jackets standing outdoors among trees and dry grass, one with hand near mouth as if calling or thinking, overcast sky.
A man with glasses, a beard, and a gray cap points to the left while standing outdoors in a grassy area with trees and power lines in the background during daylight.
Young man working on a project at a crowded workshop or lab filled with various tools, models, and materials.
A digital rendering of a modern church with multiple domes and crosses on top, situated in a landscaped area with pathways, trees, and adjacent contemporary buildings
A woman stands outside looking at a destroyed building with debris and rubble. The building has large holes in the walls and collapsed sections. The ground is wet, reflecting the gray sky.