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Ukrainian Short Film “Silence” Becomes First Winner of New Venice Film Festival Award
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Ukrainian director Pavlo Shpehun’s short film Silence has received the Airone della Laguna—International Collateral Award at the Venice International Film Festival, becoming the first film to win the newly established prize, the Ukrainian Institute reported on September 10.
The Airone della Laguna—International Collateral Award was established to support a new generation of filmmakers, innovative approaches to cinema, and emerging voices in national film industries. The prize recognizes originality, experimental storytelling, bold visual language, and engagement with contemporary themes.
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“This year, the award was presented for the first time, and a Ukrainian film became its first recipient,” the Ukrainian Institute said.
Winners were selected from films competing in the Orizzonti section of the Venice International Film Festival. Silence was among 13 films from different countries selected for the Orizzonti Short Films international competition.
The film marks Shpehun’s directorial debut and presents an intimate psychological story centered on closeness, loss, and the ways silence can convey what words cannot.
The story follows Luka, a young stand-up comedian who meets a mysterious woman at a bar after an unsuccessful performance. The two spend the night together discussing loneliness, pain, and personal loss while attempting to maintain an emotional distance from one another. As their conversation gradually runs out of words, silence takes over.
Ukrainian film production company ForeFilms was involved in the production of Silence.
The recognition for Silence comes as Ukrainian stories continue to gain prominence at major international film festivals. The documentary Black Sunflowers, which follows young Ukrainians coming of age during Russia’s full-scale war, made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11.
Directed by James Marcus Haney, the 95-minute documentary will screen as part of TIFF’s Docs program, with longtime Ukraine supporter Sean Penn serving as one of its executive producers.
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-8c11eec6fc55ae3df10c9fa10ea01b25.jpg "Ukrainian service members featured in the documentary Black Sunflowers. (Source: Limelite)")
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