On Saturday, July 20, the 15th Jubilee Odesa International Film Festival held its closing ceremony at the Parkovy Convention Center in Kyiv. During the event, the winners of the festival's main awards were announced.
Due to the ongoing full-scale war by Russia against Ukraine, this marks the third consecutive year that the festival has taken place in Kyiv. However, the organizers confidently assure that next year the festival will return to Odesa, which remains their shared dream and hope.
As tradition dictates, the ceremony revealed the winners in the European and National competition programs, as well as the FIPRESCI Prize.
European Competition Winners:
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First Special Mention: “Blueberry Dreams”, directed by Elene Mikaberidze. Polish director Machek Hamela noted that the film shows profound respect and loyalty to one's land, addressing important issues of limitations and borders.
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Second Special Mention: “Sex”, directed by Dag Johan Haugerud. According to Machek Hamela, the film features radical openness and reflection on gender identity, desire, love, and betrayal.
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Best European Film: “Netx to Nothing”, directed by Grzegorz Debowski. Jury member Iryna Ostrovska highlighted the impeccable acting and the relevance of the theme of dignity protection.
National Competition Winners:
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FIPRESCI Prize: “Perun’s Pipe”, directed by Yevhen Mazurenko. Oksana Voloshenyuk, Chair of the Union of Ukrainian Film Critics, emphasized the significance of this documentary about Ukrainian fighters.
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First Special Mention: “Oxygen Station”, directed by Ivan Tymchenko. British director Mike Figgis praised the director's skill in controlling actors, sound, and visuals.
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Second Special Mention: “Yasa”, directed by Serhiy Masloboyshchikov. Jury member Sahra Karimi recognized the film’s deep message and its importance for the national discourse.
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Best Song or Film Music: “Oxygen Station”, directed by Ivan Tymchenko, composed by Yuni Miyake.
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Best Ukrainian Feature Documentary: “Glyadielov”, directed by Ksenia Kravtsova. The film was noted for its vivid portrayal of the courage and bravery of Ukrainian soldiers.
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Best Ukrainian Feature Narrative Film: “Gray Bees”, directed by Dmytro Moyseev. Ukrainian director Alisa Kovalenko praised the film for its cinematic and authentic storytelling, blending drama and humor, realism and atmosphere.
