Sashko Roshchyn — cinematographer of Stop-Zemlia, Timestamp, and the series Obmezheno prydatni (Limited Fit) — is making his directorial debut.
His film Rybachok tells the story of a middle-aged man going through profound personal and war-related changes. In search of balance, he returns to an old hobby and spends a day fishing in the vast waters of the wild Dnipro River.
“Rybachok is a poetic and humanistic film,” the director says. “In terms of plot and circumstances, it is a chamber piece with a single protagonist. It is the story of a soldier in the Russian–Ukrainian war, who, on his day off, in the embrace of nature, touches the source of love within himself. We are revealed to the sensitive inner nature of a human being.”
The lead role is played by Vasyl “Prozorov” Pereverzev, former frontman of the band TOL, now vocalist of the rock group Prozac and a serviceman in the 12th Special Purpose Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine.
The film’s creative team includes cinematographer Borys Borysov (Episodes), editor Nikon Romanchenko (Traces), production designer Maksym Nimenko (Mavka. The True Myth, Hiding The Ex), and composers Oleksiy Shmurak (Timestamp) and Mykyta Moiseyev (U Are the Universe).
The film is produced by Viktor Shevchenko, a participant in the Sarajevo Film Festival’s Producers Lab and co-producer of Timestamp. Co-producers include Maksym Nimenko, Roksi Toporovych, and Pietro Lorino.
Raindance Film Festival is the UK’s largest independent film festival. Ukrainian films such as Pamfir and My Thoughts Are Silent have previously been screened and awarded there. The 2026 edition will be the festival’s 34th and is an Oscar and BAFTA qualifying event.