Gala premieres at the 15th Odesa International Film Festival

The 15th Odesa International Film Festival announces films from the Gala Premieres programme, featuring national and international films soon to be released.

Guests of the 15th OIFF will have the opportunity to see the following film premieres:

"Konotop Witch," directed by Andriy Kolesnyk, 2024

A special exclusive screening of a revenge film marking the full-length directorial debut of Andriy Kolesnyk. Produced by Iryna Kostyuk. Distributor: FILM.UA Distribution. The plot revolves around an ancient witch from Konotop who meets a martyr's death at the hands of a group of Russian occupiers who killed her beloved. Fueled by a thirst for revenge, the witch embarks on a bloody path of retribution. Each subsequent death is more brutal than the last as she revels in the hellish pain inflicted upon the wrongdoers, but will she manage to resist the darkness that consumes her and remain on the side of light?

"Dog on Trial", directed by Laetitia Dosch, 2024

A legal dramedy whose premiere took place at this year's Cannes Film Festival, marking the directorial debut of an actress portraying lawyer April in the film. April agrees to defend Cosmos, a dog accused of biting three people, leading to the first-ever trial of a dog in history. The protagonist has no choice but to win the case, otherwise her atypical client faces dire consequences. The film explores the relationships between humans and animals. Distributor: Adastra Cinema.

"Kinds of Kindness," directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, 2024

This parable triptych comprises different stories. The first story follows a man trying to take control of his own life. The second story is about a policeman who worries that his wife, returned after disappearing at sea, has become a completely different person. The third story tells of a woman determined to find a special person with unique abilities and a singular purpose: to become a great spiritual leader. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Distributor: Kinomania Film Distribution.

"The Count of Monte Cristo," directed by Alexandre de La Patellière, Matthieu Delaporte, 2024

An adventure saga based on Alexandre Dumas' famous novel of the same name. It tells the story of a young man, Edmond Dantès, who is illegally imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. After 14 years in prison, the hero organizes an escape, returning to France obscenely wealthy. Assuming several identities, including "Count of Monte Cristo," Edmond seeks revenge against those who wronged him. The film premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Distributor: Green Light Films.

"The Substance," directed by Coralie Fargeat, 2024

The film premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is a true superstar and Oscar winner leading an incredibly popular fitness show until her producer decides it's time for an early "retirement." That's when "The Substance" enters Elizabeth's life—a mysterious drug that replicates cells, temporarily creating a younger, better version of herself named Sue (Margaret Qualley). The consequences of two women sharing one consciousness become highly unpredictable. Distributor: Adastra Cinema.

The 15th Odesa International Film Festival will take place from July 12 to July 20, 2024, in Kyiv.

The 15th OIFF is supported by the State Agency of Ukraine for Cinema and the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.