Odesa Film Festival presents this year's poster and slogan

Odesa International Film Festival has presented this year's official poster created in collaboration with Starlight Creative.

According to the OIFF press service, this year's key visual unites two cities - Odesa and Kyiv.

It is centered on the light that is born over the sea and becomes a symbol of hope, rebirth and forward movement. Silhouettes of iconic symbols of the two cities appear against the sun: the monument to Duke de Richelieu, the Independence Monument, the outlines of Kyiv churches and the modern city skyline. The water reflecting these images reminds us of the Black Sea, the birthplace of the festival. It connects Odesa and Kyiv, past and future, tradition and modernity.

"This is exactly how OIFF exists today: preserving its sources and continuing to move forward together with the country. This year's visual concept is especially important in the year of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence. The yellow and blue palette of the poster simultaneously refers to the Ukrainian flag, the sun, the sky, the sea and the light - symbols of freedom, resilience and life," the OIFF organizers said.

"Freedom is in our DNA" is the slogan of the 17th OIFF and a value that is reflected in Ukrainian culture, art and cinema.

The 17th Odesa International Film Festival will take place from August 27 to September 4, 2026 in Kyiv with the support of the Ukrainian State Film Agency and the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.

In May, the Odesa International Film Festival held a 24-hour film lab for young filmmakers on August 28-29 in Kyiv. The idea was to allow aspiring filmmakers and actors to practice and improve their skills in a creative and collaborative atmosphere.

Earlier, in April, the Odesa International Film Festival opened the call for applications for participation in Film Industry Office pitchings.

Last year, the main festival prize, the Grand Prix, was awarded to the film You Are Space directed by Pavlo Ostrikov based on the results of the audience vote.

The 15th Odesa International Film Festival was also held in Kyiv. At that time, 12 films were screened at three locations.

In 2023, the festival was held in Chernivtsi, and only special programs were screened in Odesa.

In 2022, the Odesa Film Festival was held in a different format than usual and in several countries around the world.

Кирило Бойко