On July 12-20, 2024, the 15th Odesa International Film Festival was held in Kyiv, the opening and closing ceremonies of which took place at the Parkovy Congress and Exhibition Center. The events brought together the most prominent Ukrainian experts in the film industry, representatives of digital organizations, connoisseurs of Ukrainian cinema, as well as participants and laureates of this year's OIFF. Parkovy acted as a partner location of OIFF.
The opening of the festival began on the first floor of the complex, where a grandiose and exquisite stand was located, and guests and participants had the opportunity to take pictures, communicate and get acquainted with the program.
The guests of the ceremony were Akhtem Seitablaev, Taras Tsymbalyuk, Natalka Denisenko, Nina Naboka, Taras Tomenko, Anton Ptushkin, Alexey Gladushevskyy, Mykolai Sierga, Andrii Rizol, Alena Timoshenko, Olexiy Tritenko, Monro, Yuriy Gorbunov, Tonia Noyabrova, Andriy Khalpakhchi, Lyudmila Gordeladze, Alisa Kovalenko, Marina Koshkina, and others.
The official opening ceremony was held in the
Convention and Concert Hall, and the program was hosted by actress Darya Tregubova and commentator and TV presenter Timur Miroshnychenko. The ceremony opened with a moment of silence, with which the guests honored the fallen heroes. During the event, they remembered, in particular, filmmakers who died as a result of russian aggression. Guests were also welcomed with a musical performance by the famous virtuoso pianist Yevhen Khmara and singer Odara.
"For the third year there is a full-scale war in Ukraine. This is a war for our cultural identity in particular. The Odesa International Film Festival is an important part of this culture. And despite all the challenges, we will continue to support, develop, and strengthen it. Both within the country, and to carry this message globally into the world - to victory and after it," – Viktoriya Tigipko, President of the Odessa International Film Festival, said in her welcoming speech.
Viktoriya Tigipko also presented the honorary Duke Award for the contribution to cinema to the famous British director and screenwriter Mike Figgis, who is a member of the jury of the National Competition of OIFF this year.
"I believe that it is important that Ukraine is seen on the world stage as a country that moves forward despite everything, in particular in the film industry, in art," – Mike Figgis said.
During the event, guests could enjoy a cocktail at atmospheric bars at the
Park Hall Event Space and the
summer terrace, communicating with participants and exchanging valuable experiences.
During the closing ceremony of the 15th Odesa International Film Festival, which took place on July 20 at the CEC Parkovy, the laureates of this year's OIFF were announced. Guests and participants gathered again in the complex to celebrate joint achievements, exchange impressions, and visit the official program.
On the first floor, guests could again take pictures in front of the festival stand, communicate with leading filmmakers, directors, representatives of OIFF and this creative industry in general.
The
Convention and Concert Hall acted as the central location for the closing ceremony, as well as awarding the laureates of the 15th OIFF in the National and European programs. The program was hosted by actress Darya Tregubova and ICTV host Vadym Karpiak.
The guests of the ceremony were greeted by the president of the Odesa International Festival Viktoriya Tigipko: "It was a very intense nine-day film marathon: 15 programs and retrospectives, 92 sessions, 56 of them Ukrainian films, more than 40 industry events. I thank all Ukrainian filmmakers for continuing to create even now. I thank all the viewers for their attention and love for Ukrainian cinema. And, of course, I thank the entire OIFF team for this significant event!"
Guests of the closing ceremony were also waiting for a musical performance by Green Grey and MAZEPA.
The first awards were presented to the winners of the MEGOGO AI Film Festival, whose names were voiced by Valeriia Tolochyna, marketing director of Megogo. The Grand Prix of the competition was won by Illya Dutsyk for the YUVI music video - "My Fear." Ekaterina Sakharnova, Marketing Director of AB InBev Efes Ukraine, awarded the film "Theatrical novel:" Si Vis Amari, Ama! " Vladislav Marisik with a special Stella Award from the brand Stella Artois.
Awards were also received by the winners of:
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Work in progress pitching projects, namely: Starlight Creative certificate was received by the projects "Talent" by Anastasia Ermolenko and "Divia" by Dmytro Hreshko. The prize from Kyivstar TV was awarded to Anton Shtuka's project "The Last Prometheus of Donbas." And the main prize of pitching Work in progress from UPHub won the project of Serhii Kastornykh "The Mousetrap."
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International European competition program: the film "Next to Nothing" by Grzegorz Dembowski was determined as the best by jury consisting of Maciek Hamela, Ana Rocha de Souza and Irina Ostrovskaya.
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International Program: Special awards were given to films "Sex" by Dag Johan Haugerud and "Blueberry Dreams" by Elena Mikaberidze.
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The prize of the FIPRESCI jury, which was awarded to the director, combat officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yevgeniy Mazurenko for his debut film "Perun’s Flute".
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The sphere of the best song: the prize for the film from Radio Silpo and Mastercard were awarded to the film "Oxygen Station" by Ivan Tymchenko.
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National Program: The jury chose the Best Ukrainian Feature Documentary, which was the film "Glyadyelov" by Ksenia Kravtsova. The award was presented by Deputy Chairman of the Board of Tascombank Rynata Bereznikova.
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The nomination "Best Ukrainian Feature Film," in which the winner of "Duke" was Dmitry Moyseyev's film "Gray Bees." The award was presented by Acting Head of the State Film Agency Yulia Shevchuk.
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Special diplomas of the National Competition, which were received by the films "Yasa" by Sergii Masloboishchykov and "Oxygen Station" by Ivan Tymchenko.
The closing ceremony of the 15th Odesa International Film Festival was completed by General Director Anna Machukh: "Traditionally, we should always thank our defenders and defenders, because without them there would be no festival, as there would be no free country. Our fantastic team, our partners, our filmmakers, and you, because in fact the festival is all of you. These are those who create an atmosphere, show a movie, come to watch a movie, speak at discussions. You all are a film festival."
During the event, guests had the opportunity to visit the
summer terrace and
Park Hall Event Space on the third floor, where partner stands were placed to communicate, get original merch, as well as enjoy cocktails and views of the Dnipro.
The 15th OIFF was supported by the Ukrainian State Film Agency, the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and the Polish Institute in Kyiv. The Parkovy team is very grateful to the organizers for choosing a complex and holding an extremely important cultural event that enhances Ukrainian film production and persistently paves the way to the world level. See you at the next events!
