The prestigious Kyiv International Short Film Festival (KISFF) has launched with a gala event at Kyiv’s central Ukraina Theatre on April 19. This year’s event will run at venues across the city until April 23.
An international jury of the esteemed filmmakers, directors, and producers will assess short films in two separate competitions, with Ukrainian and international films competing in separate categories.
Nine Ukrainian films will vie for the Hr 10,000 worth winning prize, while entries from 13 films from 12 nations will compete for the international honors.
With over 300 short films from 52 countries, film lovers of any persuasion will find something to their liking.
In addition to Ukraina Theatre (5 Horodestskogo St.), screenings will be held at Lira Theatre (40 Zhytomyrska St.), Cinema House (6 Saksahanskoho St.), and even under the stars in Mariinsky Park.
A short film for everyone
Organizers hope that audiences will “search for a new movie in the cinema” and have organized the screenings into several themes.
Global Issues feature films that tackle themes like military conflict and forced migration, while Avant-garde selections highlight films that are created from a place where rules and conventions do not exist.
There are several screenings related to sex, love, and relationships and another section featuring some of the year’s best LGBT films.
The Hungarian Film School MOME will present a special animated section, while a number of screenings are specifically designed for children.
Among the most popular screenings are the “The Best of KISFF: 5 Years”, which presents some of the most popular titles ever shown at the event, and “Festival Hits”, which showcases the favorites from international festivals, like Canada’s Regard, Poland’s Zubroffka, and Austria’s Vienna Shorts.
More than just movies
Other festival events include showcases from leading film schools, exhibitions, a music program, question sessions with directors, and outdoor showings at Mariinsky Park.
The Short Film School has become a staple of KISFF over the years. Held together with the Kyiv Academy of Media Arts, free classes, workshops, and retrospectives are offered to aspiring film directors of any genre. Additionally, the KISFF Short Doctoring program helps aspiring Ukrainian filmmakers develop their very own projects.
There are several free screenings daily and while tickets for other shows cost just Hr 50 (40 for students). Music show tickets run from Hr 70-90.
For more information or a complete event schedule, please visit the festival’s website.
