The short film Easter Day by director Mykola Zasieyev, made as a Ukrainian-French co-production, has been included in the official selection for the 52nd French César film awards. It is the only Ukrainian work among 24 contenders in the Best Live-Action Short Film category.
This was reported by Suspilne Culture.
Members of the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques will vote to choose four nominees. The winner will be announced on 25 February 2027 at a ceremony in Paris.
"We are very proud that Mykola Zasieyev’s film, with its story about humanity in a country living under the immense pressure of war and trying not to lose itself, has been selected for the French Film Academy’s shortlist this year. We wish the Easter Day team and the director even greater recognition, attention and success!» the film’s producers commented.
According to the synopsis, Easter Day tells the story of how, on Easter in Kyiv, two servicemen from the territorial recruitment centre, Petro and Andrii, slowly drive through the streets looking for men who can be called up for service. When they encounter a freelance IT specialist, Sashko, he has two requests before he is taken away: to stop by a shop to buy cat food and to have an Easter cake blessed.
According to Zasieyev, the film is based on real events and, in its original concept, was meant to be a comedy — but that was not enough for a strong script.
In September, the film made the European Film Awards shortlist.
In June, the film won the award for Best European Film in the short film category at the 66th Krakow International Film Festival.