NewsNews5 September 2025

Two worlds of cinema in one festival: the 16th OIFF introduces stories of freedom, memory and human vulnerability

The 16th Odessa International Film Festival will present two special programs that will unite viewers around the most relevant topics of world and Ukrainian cinema, as well as become an opportunity for new meetings with such stars as Tony Servillo, Josh O’Connor, Vicki Krips, Monroe and others. 1+1 media and 1+1 Ukraine have become media partners of the event.

“Festival of Festivals” and “Festival of Ukrainian Festivals” are a journey into the deepest issues of modernity: trauma and memory, the struggle for freedom and dignity, the fragility of human ties, the conflict of generations and the challenges of the global crisis. Each of the presented films reveals an experience that goes beyond national borders, but at the same time speaks extremely personally.

Festival of Festivals

The Ceremony (2024, UK, dir. Jack King)

Kristy and Yusuf work as car washes in Bradford, trying to hide their traumatic past. After the mysterious death of a colleague, they embark on a journey through the Yorkshire Dales, which turns into a test of moral boundaries and escalates over the course of one night. The film was presented at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Evenings of Solitude (Tardes de soledad, 2024, Spain, France, Portugal, dir. Albert Serra)

An intimate portrait of bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey, who takes the risk of entering the ring not only as a tradition, but also as an aesthetic challenge. The film explores how a special form of beauty is born in the confrontation between man and wild animal. The premiere took place at the San Sebastian International Film Festival.

“On the Edge” (Au bord du monde, 2024, Belgium, dir. Geren Van de Vorst, Sophie Musel)

A trainee nurse Alexia meets a patient Mila in a closed ward of a psychiatric hospital. Despite warnings to keep their distance, a connection develops between them that questions professional and personal boundaries. The film was presented at the Mar del Plata International Film Festival.

“The Sicilian Letters” (Iddu – L'ultimo padrino, 2024, Italy, dir. Fabio Grassadonia, Antonio Piazza)

Former politician Catello gets a chance to regain his influence after prison when he agrees to help the secret services track down the last major mafia boss. A dangerous correspondence with a childhood friend turns into a game of truth and lies. The film was included in the program of the Venice International Film Festival.

Escort (2024, Croatia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, dir. Lukas Nola)

During a business trip, Miro spends the night for the first time with a sex worker, whom someone sends to his hotel. Afterwards, he finds her dead in the bathroom. A successful, happily married man and father of two, Miro tries to hide the tragic incident with the help of two hotel employees.

At first, their demands seem petty, but over time they get out of control. Two accomplices unexpectedly change his life forever. The film was shown at the Pula Film Festival.

Choirmaster (2025, Czech Republic, Slovakia, dir. Ondřej Provazník)

In the early 1990s, 13-year-old Karolina joins a prestigious girls' choir and finds herself under the tutelage of a mysterious maestro. What seemed like a triumph gradually reveals the dark side of power and the vulnerability of childish trust. The film was included in the program of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

The Mastermind (2025, USA, dir. Kelly Reichardt)

The events unfold in Massachusetts in the 1970s, where unemployed carpenter J.B. Mooney dares to commit his first major robbery. But an unsuccessful attempt will destroy his life, showing how fragile the illusions of success are. The film was shown in the program of the Cannes International Film Festival.

“Re-creation” (2025, Ireland, Luxembourg, dir. Jim Sheridan, David Merriman)

Based on the real case of the murder of producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, the directors created a fictional trial where fact and artistic assumption are intertwined, revealing the fine line between evidence and interpretation. The film was presented as part of the Tribeca International Film Festival.

“Ange” (2025, France, dir. Tony Gatlif)

Musician Ange sets out in search of his old friend Marco, seeking reconciliation. His companion is the daughter of his former lover - the rebellious Soleil. The journey becomes a way to find the path to joy and healing. The film was included in the program of the Cannes International Film Festival.

Festival of Ukrainian Festivals

"Queens Of Joy" (2025, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, dir. Olga Gibelinda)

Three Ukrainian queer personalities - Marlene, Monroe and Aura - remain in their native country despite a full-scale war with Russia to fight for the visibility and rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the horrors of the war, they unite to organize a charity drag show in support of their country. The film was included in the program of the international film festival "Sunny Bunny".

"Bartka" (2023, Ukraine, dir. Volodymyr Bakum)

Due to global warming and deforestation, the inhabitants of the Carpathians are threatened by floods. Forester Vasyl Pavlovych leads teams that harvest wood for government orders. His house is under threat of flooding, but he is convinced that the main cause of the disaster is global climate change. The film was included in the program of the International Ethnographic Film Festival “OKO”.

“Antarctica: War Diaries” (2024, Ukraine, Great Britain, Switzerland, USA, dir. Volodymyr Khomko)

In 1996, Ukraine received the British Antarctic Station “Faraday”, paying for it symbolically only 1 pound. This gave the country a chance to return to polar research.

In 2022, 21-year-old Volodymyr Khomko, together with a team of scientists, set off on the 27th Ukrainian Antarctic expedition, which started a few days after the start of the full-scale invasion. Through the eyes of the director, the audience will see The fourteen members of the mission, who are experiencing the war in absolute isolation, are waiting for the winter. But the most important question remains: what awaits them after the expedition is over?

The film was presented at the Molodist International Film Festival.

The 16th Odessa International Film Festival is supported by