Fifth Mykolaichuk OPEN Film Festival opens in Chernivtsi

This was reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.

“This year, we have even more films in store. There are also quite a few new features. In particular, we will hold a music video contest. Also, this year, for the first time, we are introducing a jury. Previously, films were evaluated solely by audience voting, which will still take place,” said the festival’s general producer, Oleksii Hladushevskyi, during the opening ceremony.

He noted that this year’s film festival coincides with two anniversaries: the 85th anniversary of Ivan Mykolaychuk’s birth and the 90th anniversary of Yurii Illienko’s birth. Films featuring these artists will be screened during the retrospective screenings.

The film festival’s program director, Alex Malyshenko, added that viewers at Mykolaychuk OPEN will be able to watch films that have already won awards at the Berlinale and been screened at festivals in Toronto, Cannes, and Venice. There will also be quite a few contemporary Ukrainian films.

Ruslan Senichkin and Lyudmila Barbir hosted the opening of the Mykolaichuk OPEN Film Festival. Well-known filmmakers also attended the opening, including director Oles Sanin and actresses Irma Vitovska, Natalia Sumska, and others. Festival participants were greeted by Andriy Osipov, head of the State Film Agency, and Ruslan Osypenko, head of the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration.

During the official ceremony, attendees were shown the short film “Connection,” which was produced as part of the Mykolaichuk OPEN Kids section.

Following the opening ceremony, the festival kicked off with the film “The Neighbors Upstairs,” starring Edward Norton, Penélope Cruz, and Seth Rogen.

Also on the first day, festivalgoers were able to watch the films “Leviathan,” “The Illusion of a Quiet Night,” “Hyperspace,” and “New Dawn.”

Screenings as part of the film festival will take place over eight days until June 20. The closing film will be the inspiring Czech drama “The Invincibles.”

As reported by Ukrinform, the children’s section of the Mykolaichuk OPEN Film Festival was held in Chernivtsi.

Photo: Vitalii Oliynyk / Ukrinform

More of our photos are available for purchase here