At the Mykolaychuk OPEN Film Festival, they will tell how an idea can become a series: using the example of the dramedy "Vitya" from Kyivstar TV

The Mykolaychuk OPEN International Audience Film Festival will hold an industry section for the second time. It will take place from June 15 to 20 in the city of Chernivtsi and will consist of a series of lectures, case studies and discussions with the participation of leading Ukrainian film professionals. The general partner of the industry section this year is AMO Pictures, which will hold a series of events about vertical cinema - a new trend in the world. Together with them, the festival will also pitch short feature projects.

The following events will be held as part of the program:

“How a short film becomes a big deal: the cases of “Vitya” and “GKChP””

Speakers: directors Arkady Nepytaliuk and Maksym Susida

We watch exclusive materials of the original series “Vitya” from Kyivstar TV and FILM.UA Group, which grew out of a short film shot at the Ukrainian Film School, and the film “GKChP”, which is being developed into a full-length film. We also discuss how a small story turned into a big project and whether other directors of short films can repeat it.

• “From Dovzhenko to Lukich: a very short history of national cinema”

Speaker: film journalist Alex Malyshenko

A review lecture that touches on over 100 years of cinema in Ukraine. From the invention of the cinema camera to the present day.

• “Classic or threat: what to do with Ukrainian films by 2022”

Speaker: producer, head of the State Film Agency in 2014-2019 Pylyp Illenko

We discuss the uncomfortable legacy of Ukrainian cinema - films with Russian actors and Soviet films with ideological stamps. Should we continue to consider these films as part of our film history or is it better to forget them?

• “Vertical series - the future of the industry or hype?”

Speaker: CEO AMO Pictures Anatoliy Dudinsky

Lecture on the experience of the largest Ukrainian production studio AMO Pictures in a new format that is increasingly capturing the world.

• “Ukrainian cinema that we will watch tomorrow”

Speaker: producer Oleksiy Gladushevskyy

Presentation of trailers, teasers and fragments of Ukrainian films that we will see in 2025-2026.

• “Press and filmmakers: what is the conflict?”

Speaker: art columnist, editor-in-chief of the media tabloid “Antonina” Lena Chichenina

People who create films constantly complain about the media that they do not pay enough attention to them. The media also has something to reproach filmmakers with. Is it possible to resolve this existential conflict? We will figure it out in the discussion.

• “Nude scenes in cinema and theater: how to create a comfortable and safe environment for all participants in the process”

Speaker: producer Oleksiy Gladushevskyy

Oleksiy Gladushevskyy will tell you about his personal experiences working on erotic scenes in theater and cinema and what actors and actresses need to know in order to consciously play such a role and not fall under the director’s manipulations.

• “How Ukrainian theater became more interesting than cinema”

Speaker: playwright, screenwriter and director Nataliya Vorozhbyt

Ukrainian theater is currently experiencing a real boom and allows itself much more experiments than cinema. That is why many filmmakers have moved to the big stage, and modern dramaturgy is increasingly becoming the basis of new films. In a conversation with Natalia Vorozhbyt, we talk about the intersection of theater and cinema and the current state of affairs in these areas.

• “Do bloggers take away work from actors? And other questions about casting”

Speaker: casting director Orina Petrova

It is impossible to cover all the issues related to casting in one conversation, but at Orina Petrova’s lecture we will touch on many relevant topics. We will talk about why bloggers are increasingly being cast instead of actors, who producers are looking for for projects in cinema, TV and streaming series, important nuances in contracts and other important things.

• "Horror and fantasy: are the most popular genres developing in Ukraine?"

Speakers: directors Pavlo Ostrikov and Semen Mozgovy and head of Film UA Distribution promotion Dmytro Maistrenko

In 2025-2026, Ukrainian fantasy and horror will finally take over cinema screens. We discuss the development of science fiction and horror using the examples of the films "You are Space", "The Feast of Chrysanthemums" and "The Kakhovka Object".

• "Mass Cinema in Ukraine: Instructions for Use"

Speaker: producer Kyrylo Gorobets

What are the rules of the game in modern Ukrainian mass cinema and are they not waiting for fresh blood there? We discuss films that collect millions at the box office at the lecture.

• "Love, clickbait and tears. What makes vertical drama a global trend?"

Speakers: Showrunner at AMO Pictures Maria Myroshnychenko

A lecture on vertical dramas and their tools that will open the door to creating your own projects in this popular format. This meeting will also answer the question of why people "get hooked" on such content.

• Pitching of short feature films in collaboration with AMO Pictures.

Jury: producer Darya Bassel, showrunner Igor Visnevsky, producer Oleksiy Gladushevsky

Presentation of selected short films that will be able to compete for financial support for production.

“Due to the fact that the Ukrainian film community is currently struggling for any opportunity to find funding for the production of Ukrainian cinema, our task, as a festival, is to provide a platform where more experienced artists could share their experience, both with each other and with young colleagues who are just starting their creative path. Because tomorrow they can become new bearers of Ukrainian culture!”, — comments the general producer of the festival Oleksiy Gladushevsky.

Access to the events will be available to badge holders of any category. Also, several separate events will be open to all interested parties.

Earlier, the Mykolaychuk OPEN festival announced the first international and Ukrainian films from the program of the fourth edition. The Gala Premieres section will feature Ari Aster's new film "Eddington", the musical with Tilda Swinton "The End", the anime "Colors Inside", and actress Eva Viktor's directorial debut "Sorry, Girl". 8 films from around the world will compete for "Iron Mykolaychuk" in the international competition. The program also includes Ukrainian documentaries, including Sarah Jessica Parker's production project with Oleksandr Teren "The Front Row". 23 Ukrainian films will be shown as part of the national short film competition, and on Ivan Mykolaychuk's birthday, viewers will be able to watch the scanned and previously unavailable film "And in the Sounds Memory Will Respond..." about Mykola Lysenko with Olga Sumska as his lover.

The screening schedule will be available soon. Audience tickets are already on sale.

The Mykolaychuk OPEN Audience Film Festival will be held from June 14 to 21 in the city of Chernivtsi with the support of the Chernivtsi City Council and the Ivan Mykolaychuk Cultural and Art Center.