The 2020 edition of the Festival, previously planned in mid-July, as each year, has been postponed to September 25 - October 3. In addition, it will be online. This year, Odessa loses its main international event in summertime.

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic and the related quarantine restrictions, for the first time the Odessa International Film Festival (OIFF) will be held online. Moreover, the dates of the 11th OIFF have been changed: the festival will take place not in July, as usual, but at the end of September, after the closing of the beach season. However, in addition to the online part, the organisers of the festival plan to hold the traditional open-air film showing in Odessa on the Potemkin Stairs.

Because of the pandemic that has shaken the whole world, the event industry is forced to quickly make important decisions about the activities planned for 2020. One after another, large-scale festivals and other international film events are postponed or cancelled. We are adapting to new realities and do not want to leave our audience without the film event they are waiting for during the year. Therefore, in 2020, the Odessa International Film Festival will be held online for the first time in its history.

Victoria Tigipko, President of the OIFF

The online format is unusual not only for us, but also for the entire film festival industry. We are supported by our partners, for whom we are very grateful. Therefore, even in the online format, the program of the Odessa International Film Festival will traditionally host all in and out competition screenings, as well as master classes and press conferences. In addition, the industrial part of the Film Industry Office film festival will take place online - we expect that this year a record number of representatives of the Ukrainian and world film industry will take part in it remotely.

Yulia Sinkevych, General Producer of the OIFF

Source: OIFF