Estonian co-production 'Vesna' premieres at Cannes Film Festival

TALLINN – On Monday, the feature film "Vesna," a Lithuanian, French, and Estonian co-production, premiered in the Special Screenings section of the official program of the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

The screening was held in a full house and was introduced by Thierry Frémaux, the artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival. He emphasized that at a time when the war in Ukraine is in its fourth year, the role of cinema is to preserve the stories and experiences of people that the world must not forget.

At the end of the film, the audience gave the director and the crew a nearly ten-minute standing ovation. In an emotional speech, director Rostislav Kirpičenko thanked the audience for the warm reception and emphasized the contribution of the entire international team to the making of the film.

The screening was also attended by the internationally renowned Ukrainian film director, writer, activist, and member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleh Sentsov.

Rostislav Kirpičenko, who was born in Lithuania, grew up in Ukraine, and currently lives in France, is the director and screenwriter of "Vesna". It is his first full-length feature film.

The film tells a story of humanity and dignity amidst war. In occupied Ukraine, a young priest risks his life to ensure a dignified farewell for the dead, at a time when even grief and burial have become subject to control and violence.

The film's Estonian co-producer is Vitali Sheremetiev of the production company ESSE House. Estonia also contributed the film's music, composed by Sten Sheripov, and visual effects, created by Heiki Luts of Frost FX. Child actor Vadym Kochetov, a Ukrainian war refugee living in Estonia, also has a supporting role.

"Vesna" is a collaboration between Lithuania, France, and Estonia, and its main producers are Film Jam (Lithuania), Matka Films (France), and Esse House (Estonia). The producers are Stasys Baltakis (Film Jam) and Helena Pokorny (Matka Films), and the co-producers are Vitali Sheremetiev, Oleksii Zhonik, Mariana Novikova, and Katerina Skrynska (Esse House), Marianne Lenoir and Éric Lenoir (La Femme qui Aimait les Films, France), and Jonathan Lester and Damien Favreau (Lester Film, France).

The film's screenwriter and director is Rostislav Kirpičenko, the cinematographer is Vilius Mačiulskis, the production designer is Iris Morlat, the composer is Sten Sheripov, the sound director is Marius Blažys, and the editor is Marie Vettese.

The film stars Kęstutis Cicėnas, Valentin Novopolskij, Anastasiia Pustovit, Bartas Ždanovičius, Martynas Kukta, Šarūnas Datenis, Daumantas Ciunis, Viačeslav Lukjanov, and Jevgenija Gladij.

"Vesna" participated in the Baltic Event co-production market, which took place during the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) in 2025.

The film's production was supported by the Lithuanian Film Centre, the Estonian Film Institute, the Centre National du Cinéma (CNC), Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and the Lithuanian National Radio and Television.

"Vesna" will be released in Estonian cinemas in late 2026.

The Cannes Film Festival takes place from May 12 to 23.