National Feature Competition Winners at Kyiv International Film Festival “Molodist” Announced at Filmfest Hamburg
The Kyiv International Film Festival (KIFF) "Molodist" has revealed the winners of its National Feature Competition, held as part of Filmfest Hamburg for the third consecutive year. This collaboration between the two festivals emerged in 2022, following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, as a way to ensure the continuation of Ukrainian cinema on the international stage.
Maryna Vroda’s debut feature, "Stepne," took home the top prize of Best Film. The film, which portrays the realities of rural Ukraine, was lauded by the jury for its masterful cinematography and attention to detail. “This film captures today’s rural Ukraine, providing a detailed portrait of its reality. It is a testament to the director's incredible attention to detail and atmospheric storytelling provided by brilliant cinematography," the jury stated. They further emphasized that "Stepne" is a "poignant exploration of identity, memory, and connection that resonates deeply with audiences."
For winning the National Feature Competition, "Stepne" was awarded the prestigious Scythian Deer statuette, crafted by the jewelry company Kimberli, along with a $2,000 cash prize from the International Institute of Depth Psychology.
In her acceptance speech, director Maryna Vroda expressed gratitude towards her colleagues and reflected on the challenges faced by filmmakers in Ukraine today. “I hope that next year we will find a way to continue making films. Many of our colleagues are heading to the front lines today, including women. Of course, if we have the privilege to work and present our works, I feel a responsibility for what I do. I am thankful to my colleagues and all those who defend our country and allow us to continue living,” she said.
The competition also gave special acknowledgment to "Gray Bees" by Dmytro Moiseiev. The jury praised the film for its adaptation of the renowned Ukrainian writer Andrii Kurkov’s work. The award was accepted by producer Ivanna Diadiura on behalf of the production team.
The jury for this year's National Feature Competition included prominent figures from the film industry: producer Natalia Libet, director and producer Anastasiia Bukovska, and film expert Dennis Ruh. Together, they reviewed a selection of six films, highlighting the diversity and resilience of Ukrainian cinema during these turbulent times.
The films presented in the National Feature Competition included:
- "Diagnosis: Dissent" / Denys Tarasov
- "The Glass House" / Taras Dron
- "Oxygen Station" / Ivan Tymchenko
- "Stepne" / Maryna Vroda
- "Gray Bees" / Dmytro Moiseiev
- "The Editorial Office" / Roman Bondarchuk
The competition closed with the screening of the documentary "Fragments of Ice," directed by Maria Stoianova, a reflective film that brought the festival to a poignant conclusion.
This year marked a continued effort by Kyiv International Film Festival "Molodist" to maintain a presence on the global cinematic stage, despite the ongoing challenges caused by the war.