Molodist Festival

Ukraine’s main movie event of the year, Molodist (Youth) Film Festival took place in Kyiv Oct. 18-26. Around 300 films from more than 40 countries have been shown in three competition and over 20 non-competition programs of Molodist.

Numerous special events also was held within the framework of Molodist including Molodist Film Market and Kyiv Talent Workshop. For the first time the work of the Festival included “Molodist FilmBoat Meeting” – a special competition of co-productions whereat young filmmakers from Ukraine and neighboring countries got possibility to present their film projects at the attention of the influential European producers and funds that finance cinema production.

This year’s grand prix and the Scythian Deer were awarded to “Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame” by Hana Makhmalbaf (Iran) and “Sultes” (Shultes) by Bakur Bakuradze (Russia). “Huddersfield” (Hadersfild) by Ivan Zivkovic (Serbia) was called the best full-length fiction film, and “Rene” directed by Tobias Nolle (Switzerland) became the best short film. The prize for the best student film was awarded to “Goleshovo” by Ilian Metev (Bulgaria / United Kingdom), and audience award was given to the short “Hold on” by Damien Roussineau (France).