The Ukrainian Institute awarded the film project with the greatest international potential within the Work in Progress of the Odesa International Film Festival | Film Industry Office.
The film Roma directed by Olga Zhurba received the award of UAH 150,000 from the Ukrainian Institute for the promotional activities on the international market.
Director General of the Ukrainian Institute Volodymyr Sheiko greeted the winner:
“As an institution engaged in cultural diplomacy, we are pleased for the second time now to be partners of the largest international platform for filmmakers in Ukraine — the Film Industry Office of the Odesa International Film Festival. For the second time, we are awarding the film from the Work in Progress programme with the greatest potential abroad. With this award the Ukrainian Institute launched the long-term programme of the Ukrainian Institute proMOTION, which provides Ukrainian films with resources for international promotion.
The winner has already participated in one of UI‘s projects: producer Daria Bassel represented Ukraine at the virtual film market of the Cannes Film Festival at the Producers Network section. I am happy that everything happened so suddenly and naturally“.
The Work in Progress section featured Ukrainian productions and co-productions, as well as films from the Eastern European Partnership countries that are on the final stages of production. Last year, the international jury gave the award to the film “The Forgotten” by Daria Onyschenko, which was released in 2020.
The Film Industry Office is a platform for professional communication, support and development of the Ukrainian film projects and the film industry as a whole, as well as for the presentation of Ukraine to the international community of film industry professionals.