Film festival “Open Night” again held with the support of Raif

The film festival “Open Night. Take 23” was held last week. For the eighth year running, the winners’ rewarding was made with the support of Raiffeisen Bank Aval, the general partner of the festival.

This year’s events in Ukraine and in the world have influenced this festival.  “Open Night. Take 23” has made its film review in an online mode. All film fans had a chance from 12 August to 16 August to watch films of the official festival program at the festival site. The competitive and non-competitive programs of the festival included new films of debutants as well as films of well-known cinema masters.  The official awarding ceremony and film watching were held on 14 August at the Art Pier in Kyiv.

“In spite of the difficult period, it is a pleasure to know that many people do not forget, love and support Ukrainian films, — noted Oksana Shevchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Raiffeisen Bank Aval. — On this very day, different social projects aimed at strengthening of our cultural traditions and values are very important. And this film festival is an excellent sample of this.  “Open Night” is not only a good platform for finding new talented film directors, but also a bright inspiring project that unites creative Ukrainian community and makes for the revival, development and promotion of the Ukrainian cinema”.

In 2020, 94 short films have been presented for the “Open Night” film festival, and it is really a great number in conditions of the almost complete absence of movie shoots in March-May because of the quarantine, the festival organizers note.

The main prize of the festival sized UAH 100,000 was financed by Raiffeisen Bank Aval. At the time being, it is one of the highest prize amounts for short films in Ukraine.  By the decision of the jury, the prize was distributed between two winners – the grand prix of the festival was given for the films «Shpili-Wili» (the director is Ivan Shokha) and “Malefactor” (the director is Valeriy Shevchenko). Our congratulations for the winners!

“Open Night” is a Ukrainian festival of Ukrainian-language films that started in 1997. The founder and the organizer of the festival is Mykhailo Illienko, film director. The festival is held yearly in the end of June as a review of the most interesting achievements of Ukrainian short films. 

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