Pavlo Shpegun’s directorial debut, the short film Silence, has been selected for the Orizzonti Short Films competition programme at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The film was co-produced by Anna Yatsenko and Volodymyr Yatsenko through the production company ForeFilms, according to the company’s press office. Several films produced by ForeFilms have previously competed at the Venice Film Festival, notably Luxembourg, Luxembourg by Antonio Lukich and Reflection by Valentyn Vasyanovych.
This year, 13 short films have been selected for the Orizzonti Short Films international competition, where they will compete for the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film. In total, the Venice Film Festival organising committee received 2,500 submissions from around the world. Competition screenings are scheduled to take place on 10 and 11 September.
Silence is an intimate psychological story about connection, loss and the silence that sometimes speaks louder than words. The film’s protagonist, Luka, is a young stand-up comedian who, following a failed performance, meets a mysterious young woman in a bar. They quickly form a connection, and she spends the night at his flat. As they discuss loneliness, pain and personal loss, they attempt to maintain an emotional distance. However, when all the necessary words have finally been spoken, silence descends.
The lead roles are performed by Hryhoriy Naumov and Iolanta Bohdun.
The film was produced by Anna Yatsenko, Volodymyr Yatsenko, Inna Lastochkina and Pavlo Shpegun. The crew also included cinematographer Mykhaylo Lyubarskyy, production designer Vlad Odudenko, editor Yuriy Katynskyy, line producer Kyrylo Rybyantsev, sound designer Serhiy Stepanskyy, and costume and make-up artist Yevheniya Slobodyanik.
The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will take place on the island of Lido from 2 to 12 September 2026.