Ukrainian Short Film “Soldier” Wins at PTAKH Festival in the UK
The Ukrainian short film “Soldier” directed by Danylo Dedkov has won the award for Best Short Film at the 3rd International Ukrainian Film Festival PTAKH in the United Kingdom – an event dedicated to showcasing films by Ukrainians and stories about Ukraine to British and international audiences.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Freedom.
Produced by the ASSA production agency for the International Broadcasting Multimedia Platform of Ukraine, “Soldier” explores the emotional and psychological journey of wounded veterans as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
Inspired by Oleksii Rozumov’s short story “93%”, the film follows a Ukrainian soldier (played by Pavlo Shpehun) who, after suffering memory loss, discovers a supernatural ability to move between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Rather than focusing on the battlefield itself, the film delves into trauma, recovery, and the enduring power of empathy and connection among those scarred by war.
The PTAKH Festival, now in its third year, tours cities across the United Kingdom from March through autumn, bringing Ukrainian cinema to diverse audiences. It features both Ukrainian and international films centered on Ukrainian themes, with screenings, discussions, and awards presented in multiple categories.
Festival organizers noted that this year’s competition was particularly strong, with each entry offering a unique and deeply personal story.
Alongside “Soldier,” other contenders in the short film category included “Plantago” by Maryna Suslovets, about two children surviving in a war-torn region, and “Metallic Taste” by Ivan Krupenikov, exploring the psychological aftermath of self-defense.
The Grand Prix of the festival went to the British short film “Rock, Paper, Scissors” by Franz Böhm, based on true events during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Starring Oleksandr Rudynskyi, who also received the Best Actor award, the film tells the story of an 18-year-old boy whose surgeon father operates on wounded soldiers and civilians in a bunker.
When the shelter’s location is compromised, the boy takes up arms to protect his loved ones – a narrative praised for its “artistic bravery and emotional depth in portraying the strength of the human spirit.”
“Soldier” has already gained international acclaim, winning awards at Bulgaria’s OKO Festival, the “City of Dreams” Festival, and being named a finalist at both the Cannes Gold Firefly and Spain’s Semana del Cine Ucraniano. Screenwriter Andrii Babik was honored by the Ukrainian Screenwriters’ Guild for Best Short Film Script.
The film has been screened at major Ukrainian festivals such as Mykolaichuk Open in Chernivtsi and EU4Culture in Vinnytsia, as well as in European cities including Düsseldorf and Wuppertal.
Read more on The Gaze: Ukrainian Cinema: 9 Must-Watch Films That Define a Nation’s Spirit