Ukrainian thriller BASHTA unveils teaser at Berlinale 2026’s European Film Market

Ukrainian production company JOYFILMS has presented the teaser for the psychological thriller BASHTA at the Berlin International Film Festival, within the European Film Market (EFM).

BASHTA is the feature-length directing debut of Ukrainian actress and TV presenter Dasha Tregubova. The filmmaker says the project took five years from initial idea to its current stage, shaped by events that affected both the team’s lives and the film itself.

The creators expect the film’s world premiere this summer at one of the major A-category international film festivals, with a Ukrainian release scheduled for autumn 2026.

Tregubova describes psychological thrillers as a genre where the story can appear to follow one path — until a final turn changes everything. Producer Oleksandr Omelyanov (JOYFILMS) adds that the team presented work-in-progress materials to international sales agents at EFM and received very positive early reactions, with further discussions expected once the final cut is available.

The story unfolds in a war-destroyed children’s shelter. Marta, a journalist, arrives to document the aftermath of a war crime linked to the disappearance of dozens of children, taken away by Russian forces during the occupation. She becomes trapped among the ruins, where she is pursued by a mysterious man in a balaclava.

In parallel, rescuers find a girl on a riverbank who cannot remember her name or past. The role is played by 14-year-old Polina Hromova, the director’s daughter. Dmytro Rybalevskyi portrays a hypnotherapist who tries to restore the girl’s memory — and uncover the truth behind what has been buried.

Yuliia Yarmolenko plays herself in the film — a volunteer who, along with treats, brings children smiles and faith in kindness. Her character is a symbol of humanity in the darkest moments.

The filmmakers stress that BASHTA is a story about memory and trauma, and about a crime that can break lives forever: the abduction and forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia.

Information about the mystical thriller “BASHTA”
Runtime: 93 minutes
Director: Dasha Tregubova
Producer: Oleksandr Omelianov (JOYFILMS)
Co-producers: Artem Koliubaiev, Taras Bosak (Mainstream Pictures)
Screenwriter: Symor Hlasenko
Director of Photography: Serhii Smychok
Production Designer: Vlad Odudenko
Cast: Daria Tvoronovych, Polina Hromova, Dmytro Rybalevskyi, Marta Horobchuk

Supported by:
State Film Agency of Ukraine (Derzhkino) and the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation

Official media partners:
Viva! (Ukraine’s first celebrity magazine)
Jetsetter (Ukrainian portal covering cultural life)
Insider.ua (media on society and culture)

Media partners:
PERSHYI BIZNESOVYI (BIZ), UKRAINKY, ProShoKino, Yabl, TrueUa, LifeKyiv, 44.ua, BestPeopleClub, Touch, Like in Ua, Gossip, SuperLady, CoolBaba, 33 Kanal, BUT.IN.UA, FOSTYLEN, Odessa Fashion Day, StarBrothers, BUSINESS ML MAGAZINE, Studio of my Dreams.