In 2025, Project 59 marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic 59 Seconds Video Festival with a special series of 20 international screenings. This milestone event will showcase a curated selection of the best videos from the festival’s early years, alongside new works created with cutting-edge AI technology. Each video lasts precisely 59 seconds, maintaining the festival’s unique and compelling format.
The festival originally ran from 2005 to 2008 and featured 59 videos chosen by audiences at 59 screenings held around the world. These videos spanned a wide range of styles and genres, including mini-documentaries, political satire, experimental pieces, and edgy narratives. All works incorporated the number 59 in some form, making the festival both a playful concept and a creative challenge.
Founded by Irina Danilova and Hiram Levy, the festival was launched at 59 Franklin Street in Tribeca, New York City. It quickly became known for its innovative approach to the short video format and its ability to foster a global exchange of ideas within the emerging digital video art scene.
“Maximum entertainment in minimum time” – San Francisco Bay Guardian, 12/7/05.
Over the years, the 59 Seconds Video Festival has been hosted in cities across the globe—from New York and San Francisco to Berlin, Vienna, Sydney, and Buenos Aires. In Ukraine, the festival will be presented in Lutsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations.
This year’s edition not only honors the groundbreaking works from the festival’s early years but also bridges the past and the present by featuring new AI-generated videos. The anniversary screenings invite audiences to reflect on the evolution of video art and the impact of technological advances over the past two decades.
With its blend of history, innovation, and international reach, the 20th anniversary of the 59 Seconds Video Festival promises to be a captivating celebration of creativity in under a minute.
The organizer of the festival in Odessa is the Odesa Unesco City of Literature Office. Co-organizers, who play a crucial role, include the Christian Charitable Foundation "One Step Closer," which works with children of displaced families and is hosting the festival in their new venue. Another important co-organizer is the Literary Club of the Odesa Writers and Poets Union (PPO), whose members regularly hold events and raise donations to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Tomorrow in Odessa, July 17 at 6:00 PM, a screening will take place at the Christian Charitable Foundation "One Step Closer" (45 Troitska Street).
