On November 1, the awards ceremony of the 54th Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival took place at the House of Cinema.
For the second year in a row, the festival’s top award went to a Ukrainian film.
This year, the Grand Prix was awarded to Fatigued — the debut feature film by Yurii Dunai.
“This film is fragile, just as our lives are, and poignantly quiet, even though it speaks of immense, inarticulate suffering. It asks a painfully important question: ‘Does the world really understand what we mean when we talk about war?’ For its heartbreaking and deeply humane portrayal of post-traumatic stress caused by Russia's war against Ukraine, Grand Prix of the 54th Molodist Film Festival goes to Fatigued,” — said jury member, producer, and director Valeria Sochyvets from the stage.
The film received the Scythian Deer trophy and a monetary prize of $5,000.
The Grand Prix sponsor is Loto-Zabava, the state lottery operator M.S.L. The certificate was presented by Ivan Zalizniak, CEO of M.S.L.
Fatigued marks the feature directorial debut of renowned Ukrainian cinematographer Yurii Dunai. The film’s producer is Pylyp Illienko. Its story is based on true accounts of Ukrainian defenders who face the painful aftermath of war.
Cast: Valeria Khodos, Dmytro Sova, Irma Vitovska, Daria Tvoronovych, Olena Uzliuk, Oleksandr Mavrits, among others.
The Best Film of the International Competition was We Believe You directed by Charlotte Devillers and Arnaud Dufeys (Belgium, 2025, 93’).
The film received the Scythian Deer and a cash prize of $2,000.
“…for its masterfully sustained suspense — holding us in tension until the very last frame. For its precisely crafted script, rooted in profound psychological insight into domestic violence and its aftermath. Through powerful and deeply moving performances, it evokes genuine empathy, making the distance between the audience and the characters remarkably short,” announced jury member Luka Chikovani from the stage.
A Special Mention of the International Competition went to Reedland by Sven Bresser (Netherlands, Belgium, 2025, 105’), with the jury highlighting its cinematography:
“For their ability to convey such powerful and realistic images, transporting us into the reality of the rural countryside and picturing nature and the people who blend with this ancient and wild landscape, and for the photographic complexity achieved through a timeless vision, we want to award this special mention for best cinematographer to Sam du Pon from the movie Reedland.”
A second Special Mention for Best Performance went to Frank Dillane, lead actor of Urchin directed by Harris Dickinson (United Kingdom, 2025, 99’).
“With the main character, we went through the fall, the rise, and the fragile attempt to become a normal person again. The film Urchin explores the nature of addiction, and actor Frank Dillane portrays it with remarkable depth and truth,” said the jury in their statement.
The Best Short Film in the International Competition — and winner of the Scythian Deer and $2,000 from Molodist — was One Way to Tbilisi by Paul Ploberger (Austria, Georgia, Germany, 2025, 30’).
“For its ability to tell a wonderful story of friendship that arises from a shared pain, which is transformed through beauty and unconditional empathy, and for creating an emotional and human bridge between two people of such different nationalities and cultures, and for the great professionalism demonstrated by the director and the entire film team,” noted the jury.
A Special Mention was awarded to My Land Is Burned by Abdulrahman Alshowaiki (Belgium, 2024, 30’)
“For showing the price people pay for armed conflict. For a powerful, moving, yet deeply sensitive and tender story about those who, deprived of their homes, struggle every day — for food, heating, the most basic necessities, but also for hope and dreams of a better tomorrow.”
The Best Student Film of the International Competition was Pharmacies by Martin Montellano (Mexico, 2025, 25’).
“This movie is a fine piece of filmmaking — a dense script, good pace, precise editing, all tinged with delicate humor, and at the center of this world there is her - a strong, sturdy woman. We wholeheartedly root for her struggle for herself, captivated by the energy and perseverance with which she faces the challenges and difficulties posed by a patriarchal world,” the jury commented.
A Special Mention was awarded to Shallow Ground by Jozo Schmuch (Croatia, 2025, 20’).
Another Special Mention went to Roman Oleksiv, the protagonist of Romchyk directed by Alexis Bicât (United Kingdom, 2024, 12’).
“The Molodist International Film Festival jury decided to award a special prize in the First Student Film category, not to a film or an actor, but to the authentic character in a moving and profoundly true story. This character, whose story the film tells, demonstrates exceptional courage and wisdom, reflecting an entire people's understanding that an ordinary human being can become a superhero. This superhero, is, for us, Romchyk.”
“I’d like to remind everyone about three important things: first — never give up; second — no dream should ever be destroyed; and third — we must respect Ukrainian culture,” said 10-year-old Roman Oleksiv from the stage. He miraculously survived a Russian missile strike on Vinnytsia but suffered burns to 45% of his body.
The International Competition Jury consisted of:
Liubov Yakymchuk — screenwriter, Golden Dzyga award winner (Ukraine)
Luka Chikovani — actor (Georgia/Italy)
Valeria Sochyvets — producer, director (Ukraine)
Antoine Arjakovsky — historian, cultural researcher (France)
Jury President — Joanna Lapinska — festival manager (Poland)
The Audience Award and Scythian Deer went to Renovation by Gabriele Urbonaite (Lithuania, Latvia, Belgium, 2025, 90’). The film was personally presented in Kyiv by the Gabriele Urbonaite and actor Roman Lutskyi.
The Winner of the Documentary Competition was Niñxs by Kani Lapuerta (Mexico, Germany, 2025, 84’). The winner received the Scythian Deer and a $2,000 prize from the festival’s general technology sponsor, HISENSE.
Documentary Competition Jury:
Volodymyr Mula — filmmaker, Emmy Award winner (Ukraine)
Tor Fosse — longtime director and head of the Bergen International Film Festival (Norway)
Jury President — Yolande Zauberman — filmmaker (France)
The winner of the TEEN SCREEN programme was Frank by Tõnis Pill (Estonia, 2025, 109’). The film received the Scythian Deer and a $2,000 prize from Molodist.
Special Mentions in TEEN SCREEN received:
Beef by Ingride Santos (Spain, Mexico, 2025, 90’) — for music
The Nature of Invisible Things by Rafaela Camelo (Brazil, Chile, 2025, 90’) — for masterful cinematography
TEEN SCREEN Jury:
Denys Mucci
Angelina Kalayeva
Ihnatu Ponomarov
Yaryna Devyatko
Polina Devyatko
The winner of the National Short Film Competition was Thoughts on Peace in an Air Raid by Vyacheslav Turianytsia (Ukraine, 2025, 16’). The Scythian Deer was presented by Andrii Osipov, Head of the Ukrainian State Film Agency. The winner also received a $2,000 prize from the Molodist Film Festival.
Special Mentions went to Prelude by Alina Panasenko (Ukraine, 2025, 14’) and unavailable by Kyrylo Zemlianyi (Ukraine, France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Netherlands, 2025, 20’).
National Short Film Competition Jury at the 54th Molodist Film Festival:
Hala Koziutynska — director, winner of last year’s national competition at the 53rd Molodist Film Festival (Ukraine)
Juan Daniel Fernández Molero — filmmaker, screenwriter, editor, producer (Peru)
Jury President — Giuseppe Garau — screenwriter, director (Italy)
The Union of the Ukrainian Film Critics Jury (Ihor Kromf, Yana Dudko, and Oleksandr Husiev) highlighted two films:
unavailable by Kyrylo Zemlianyi — “for the poignant depiction of moral dilemmas faced by a person whose readiness to help others collides with the instinct to save their loved ones.”
Euroteleport by Nataliya Ilchuk (Ukraine, France, 2025, 30’) — “for a deep and intimate cinematic exploration of how European values are transformed through the prism of personal memory.”
A Special Mention of the Union of the Ukrainian Film Critics went to Kotyk and Pesyk seeking home by Georgii Gogatadze (Ukraine, 2024, 6’) — “for a poetic depiction of the hardships faced by thousands of our compatriots.”
The Honorary Scythian Deer for contribution to Ukrainian cinema was awarded to Serhii Masloboyshchykov.
A Special Scythian Deer was also presented to Ivan Zalizniak, CEO of the state lottery operator M.S.L. Loto-Zabava, the long-term partner of Molodist.
The winner of the RAW PITCH film pitching competition was Wolves on Mars Field by Maryna Shkrabaliuk.
The project received ₴100,000 for film development with international festival potential from Kyivstar TV, part of the 1+1 media group.
A Special Mention went to the film project Fish Language by Halyna Lavrinets, which also received a €1,000 service certificate from the FILMAR lighting team, a partner of the pitching session.
Pitching Jury:
Natalka Vorozhbyt — Ukrainian playwright, screenwriter, and director
Serhii Nedzelskyi — film and television producer, head of co-production and outsourcing content department at Suspilne
Valentyn Vasianovych — director, cinematographer, and screenwriter
Award Ceremony Photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sunnybunnyandmolodist/albums/72177720330045510
Photos by Anastasiia Mantach
Photos of Grand Prix winners, laureates, and embassy representatives who received awards on stage or on behalf of winners:
Photos by Anna Soli
The festival is held with the support of the Ukrainian State Film Agency and the National Union of Cinematographers of Ukraine.
General Media Partner: 1+1 media
Coffee Partner: L’or — Infinite Coffee Art
General Technological Partner: Hisense
International Institute of Depth Psychology
Lottery Partner: Loto-Zabava, operatorated by M.S.L.
Film and TV platform Kyivstar TV
Creative Europe Desk Ukraine
Creative Partner: McCANN Kyiv Advertising Agency
Embassies:
Embassy of the Italian Republic
Italian Institute of Culture in Ukraine
Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark
Embassy of Argentina
Embassy of Spain
Embassy of the Hellenic Republic
Embassy of Switzerland
Embassy of Brazil
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine
Embassy of Flanders
Polish Institute
Embassy of Sweden
Embassy of Germany
Embassy of Belgium
Main Partners:
Goethe-Institute in Ukraine
ILTA Car Center Pechersk
Piraeus Bank
Ukrainian-Danish Youth House
TET TV Channel
Ukrainian natural cosmetics brand Mr. SCRUBBER
Ukrainian Railways
Radio Pyatnytsya
Filmar Lightning Team
Hospitality Partners:
Restaurant of Crimean Tatar cuisine Musafir — a slice of Crimea in the capital
Halushka — network of modern Ukrainian restaurants and cultural centers
Tisto — café and bakery in Podil
Art-gastronomic space at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Ostannia Barykada
Water Partner: Morshynska — natural daily hydration and recovery
Alcohol Partner: Kiy — vodka of the new Ukraine, vodka of cultural events
Hotel Partner: Radisson Blu Hotel, Kyiv Podil City Centre
Media Partners:
Suspilne Movlennia, Suspilne Kultura, TyKyiv, Focus, LB.ua, hromadske, Espresso, #ProShoKino, Zahin Kinomaniv, DTF Magazine.
