(MENAFN- UkrinForm) This was reported by a correspondent for Ukrinform.

During the opening ceremony, Inna Kocharyan, rector of the Karpenko-Karyi Kyiv National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television, emphasized that“Prologue” is not only a competition, but also a dialogue between cultures and an exchange of experiences, within which international collaborations, professional contacts, and friendships are born.

This year, 244 films-feature films, documentaries, and animated films-were selected to participate in Prologue. For the first time, a special competition program called“Minute” (Hvylyna) was introduced for films up to one minute long (42 films were selected for it). The festival program includes student works from film schools around the world, including Germany, France, Poland, Lithuania, Israel, and the Czech Republic.

"It is a great honor for our university to welcome participants from different countries who have brought their films, their ideas, and their energy. These are future directors, producers, cinematographers, screenwriters, and actors-those who are already shaping the new face of cinema today. This is an event that unites creative languages, reveals new names, and demonstrates how powerful the language of cinema can be when it is filled with sincerity and courage. Despite almost four years of full-scale war, Ukraine has not lost its strength, dignity, and will. Students continue to create, preserve, and spread Ukrainian culture in such difficult times. And today we affirm that Ukrainian cinema is alive, growing, and will be heard even louder in the world," Kocharian said.

First Deputy Minister of Culture Halyna Hryhorenko emphasized that the student film festival demonstrates that even in the face of an existential threat, the country is creating opportunities for the professional development of young people and supporting their dialogue with colleagues from abroad.

She wished the participants not to stop at any stage, but to move forward. According to her, the world's attention is now focused on Ukraine as never before, and this is a chance to remind Europe of the values for which Ukrainians continue to fight.“Your critical view is not just positive cinema, it is completely different cinema that can give a different perspective on our present, on our struggle, and on how we shape the future and what we strive for,” Hryhorenko said.

Serhii Bordenyuk, head of the National Union of Cinematographers, noted that for the second time in a row, the Prologue festival, revived after a hiatus, is being held at the House of Cinema.

“Student life, despite all the challenges, remains the most wonderful period, and I want this festival to become a platform and a springboard into professional cinematographic life for its participants. And I want them to have the prospect of professional activity in our country,” he emphasized.

In addition to the competition program, participants and guests can look forward to master classes from leading Ukrainian artists, discussion panels, meetings with the jury, special non-competitive screenings, presentations of student film projects, and pitching of ideas.

The jury of the 21st International Student Film and Television Festival“Prologue” includes Roman Balaian, Serhiy Trymbach, Yaroslav Pilunsky, Oleksandr Husev, Valeria Sochivets, Eva Zurian, Vyacheslav Turianytsia, Zhanna Ozirna, Marina Vroda, and Alona Penzia.

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As reported by Ukrinform, the Prologue Film Festival was founded by students of the film faculty of the I. K. Karpenko-Karyi University of Theater, Film, and Television over 30 years ago to promote Ukrainian young cinema and exchange experience between contemporary film schools around the world. After a long hiatus, it was revived in 2024.

The festival is co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and the National Union of Cinematographers.

Photos from Ukrinform can be purchased here.

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