The opening ceremony of the 54th International Film Festival "Molodist" took place in Kyiv at the “House of Cinema”. The State Film Agency announced this via Facebook.
This year, the festival program includes 158 films from 59 countries, divided into 14 programs. Additionally, various industry events will occur throughout the festival.
The opening film was "The Apartment" directed by Billy Wilder, celebrating the centenary of Oscar-winning actor Jack Lemmon.
The evening began with a moment of silence in memory of all fallen soldiers and civilians who were victims of Russian aggression.
The ceremony was hosted by television stars Mark Kuzevalov and Kateryna Olос, who are also leading a new project called "Mission to Cope" on the TET channel.
Andriy Osipov, head of Ukraine’s State Film Agency, delivered a speech and conveyed gratitude from Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to film and television producer Serhiy Lavrenyuk. The General Director of the Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival, Andriy Halpahchi, presented the honorary "Scythian Deer" award to Serhiy Mishchenko, the president and CEO of ILTA.
The chairman of the National Union of Cinematographers of Ukraine, Serhiy Bordenyuk, also spoke.
The main event of the film festival is the international competition, which has selected 12 films this year. In the documentary debut competition, ten projects from various countries will be showcased.