Odessa International Film Festival Puts Trophy in Ordinary Odessit Hands

By Robert Thomas

In ten short years the Odessa International Film Festival (OIFF) has grown from humble beginnings to one of the premiere film festivals in Eastern Europe.

This year the festival is taking on a different approach with the viewers of the films being the actual judges of the Grand Prix award actually having their hands on the award in a campaign called - Our Grand Prix - In Your Hands.

The statue of the duke is in the hands of the ordinary Odessit as seen through a campaign amongst some of the most recognizable everyday locations in Odessa.

The most memorable part of the entire OIFF are the stunning outdoor showings right on the world famous Potemkin Stairs of some of the greatest movies ever made in cinemaphotography.

This year the OIFF will be showing the silent film The Cossacks made in 1928 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. As part of this show a full philharmonic orchestra will be performing.

And the MJ Independent will be there as we have purchased tickets, booked the airplane and the hotel for our stay there as part of our travel blog of the Ukraine. We will most likely be one of the smallest media outlets travelling the furthest to cover the festival.

For anyone thinking of tagging along you are more than welcome.

Recall that the anniversary Odessa International Film Festival will take place from 12th to 20th July 2019 Festival tickets can be purchased on the official website of the festival.