The 6th edition of the OKO International Ethnographic Film Festival (IEFF OKO) presents 90 films in 24 languages from 52 countries across 5 continents.

 

The Program of the 6th International Film Festival OKO 2025 includes 7 Sections, Opening & Closing Films.

 

Among the headliners are films that have received AMPAS and BAFTA awards, as well as participants and winners of the world’s leading film festivals: Sundance, Rotterdam, Berlinale, Cannes, Venice, Locarno, Toronto, and IDFA. The lineup also includes selected titles from Ukrainian national festivals, such as Molodist KIFF, Docudays UA IDHFF, and Odesa IFF.

 

The opening film will be the world premiere of Mertva Kvitka (ukr. Мертва Квітка) — an auteur project by the festival’s General Director Tetiana Stanieva, exploring her native Ukrainian Bessarabia and the transformation of traditions and winter rituals during wartime.

 

The festival will close with the screening of Pamfir by Dmytro Sukholytkyi-Sobchuk — a powerful fusion of storytelling, directorial mastery, and ethnocultural context, featuring elements of the Malanka tradition, which resonate closely with this year's thematic focus.

 

The Festival’s competition sections include:

 

OKO GLOBAL FICTION – international competition of feature fiction films

OKO GLOBAL NON-FICTION – international competition of feature non-fiction and/or documentary films

NASHE OKO – competition program for Ukrainian non-fiction and/or documentary films, or films involving Ukrainian filmmakers

OKO SHORT – short film competition

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In each competitive section, the jury will award a section Grand Prize and a Special Prize for Ethnographic Representation. In the short film competition, there will also be a Special Prize for the Best Ukrainian/Bulgarian Short Film.

The theme of the 2025 edition is traditional folk masquerades, explored both visually and conceptually through the OKO FOCUS section, which is dedicated to showcasing the rich diversity of these rituals from around the world.

 

Other Program Sections:

OKO SPECIAL – a selection of special screenings of Ukrainian and Bulgarian cinema

OKO RETROSPECTIVE & SPOTLIGHT – includes retrospective films that have been screened at previous editions of the Festival, along with a spotlight on the work of Magika Films and the producing career of Gennady Kofman

 

Audience Awards:

All films premiering at the Festival (excluding those by members of the Festival team and those in the OKO RETROSPECTIVE & SPOTLIGHT section) are eligible for audience voting across four Audience Grand Prizes.

 

With the support of the Bolhrad City Council Audience Prize for the Best Bulgarian Film presented at the Festival will also be given.

Festival Team Special Prizes:

In addition to the jury and audience prizes, the Festival team will present special prizes for:

• Feature Film

• Short Film

• Creative Ethnographic Representation

• Cinematic Innovation and Craft

 

Tetiana Stanieva, General Director and Founder of the International Ethnographic Film Festival OKO, shared her thoughts on this year’s program:

“Every year I eagerly await the films — to feel the heartbeat of the planet through a collective cross-section. Because they reflect what humanity is aching for. This year, we continue to ache because of the war — seen mostly through the eyes of other countries. We ache from the discrimination against women within traditions and customary law; we’re rethinking the impact of sports and athletic legends on people’s lives; and also the consumption of animals and our relationship with those we domesticate.

For the fourth year in a row, I am especially struck by Ukrainian films. Each time I wonder — what more can be said about the war, when so much has already been expressed? And yet Ukrainian films continue to reveal the many layers and untold stories within it. The films in our program offer a powerful opportunity to speak about what hurts. They tell our story to the world and to future generations — and they serve as our collective therapy. Come to OKO and join the conversation!”

The Festival’s slogan this year is “Look Through”. It is a call to see not only what lies on the surface, but also what is hidden in people’s hearts, in traditions, and in fates. To remain open to what is genuine — even when it is difficult or unclear.

 

Denis Budanov, Head of Programming at the OKO IEFF, outlined the key concept behind this year’s program architecture:

“Each of these stories is unique and unforgettable. The program includes not only award-winning and premiere films from the world’s leading festivals, but also the voices of debut filmmakers who truly have something to say. From fiction to experimental works, from documentaries to animation — nearly every genre and form of contemporary auteur cinema is represented.

The slogan of this year’s festival edition is ‘Look Through.’ This phrase perfectly captures the spirit of how we invite audiences to engage with our films: to ‘look through’ means to go deeper and uncover what lies beneath. Building on last year’s experiment, we once again go beyond the traditional ethnographic documentary landscape and explore the realm of ‘post-ethnography.’

One of the core principles of the OKO IEFF is to never stand still — to embrace new challenges and discoveries and to share them generously with the audience. Every film in the program has been carefully selected as a true gem. And now we are sincerely sharing these treasures with our viewers.”

 

Program of the 6th OKO International Ethnographic Film Festival 2025

 

OPENING FILM

1. Mertva kvitka / Мертва квітка, 2025, dir. Tetiana Stanieva (Ukraine)

 

CLOSING FILM

1. Pamfir / Памфір, 2022, dir. Dmytro Sukholytkyi-Sobchuk (Ukraine, France, Poland, Luxembourg, Chile)

 

OKO GLOBAL FICTION

1. Baghdad Messi, 2023, dir. Sahim Omar Kalifa (Iraq, Netherlands, Belgium)

2. Banzo, 2024, dir. Margarida Cardoso (Portugal, France, Netherlands)

3. Eid, 2024, dir. Yousef Abo Madegem (Israel)

4.  *Grey Bees / Сірі бджоли, 2024, dir. Dmytro Moiseiev (Ukraine)

5. Hundreds of Beavers, 2022, dir. Mike Cheslik (USA)

6. Mami Wata, 2023, dir. C.J. 'Fiery' Obasi (Nigeria, France, UK)

7. Our Lovely Pig Slaughter / Mord, 2024, dir. Adam Martinec (Czech Republic, Slovakia)

8. People / Ludzie, 2024, dir. Maciej Ślesicki, Filip Hillesland (Poland)

9. The Breaking Ice / Ran Dong, 2023, dir. Anthony Chen (China)

10. The Reeds / Son Hasat, 2023, dir. Cemil Ağacıkoğlu (Turkey, Bulgaria)

 

OKO GLOBAL NON-FICTION 

1. Against the Tide, 2023, dir. Sarvnik Kaur (India, France)

2. House with a Voice, 2024, dir. Kristine Nrecaj, Birthe Templin (Germany)

3. Machtat, 2023, dir. Sonia Ben Slama (France, Lebanon, Tunisia)

4. On Dusty Tracks / Chemin de terre, 2025, dir. Simon Desjobert (France)

5.  Silent Observers / Тихи Наблюдатели, 2024, dir. Eliza Petkova (Bulgaria , Germany)

6. The Lions on the River Tigris / Løvene ved elven Tigris, 2025, dir. Zaradasht Ahmed (Norwey, Netherlands, Iraq)

7. The Mother of All Lies / Kadib Abyad, 2023, dir. Asmae El Moudir (Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt)

8. The Road to Patagonia, 2022, dir. Matty Hannon (Australia)

9. Mâine mă duc - Tomorrow I Leave, 2023, dir. Lukas Schöffel, Maria Lisa Pichler (Austria)

10. To the West, in Zapata / Al oeste, en Zapata, 2025, dir. David Bim (Cuba, Spain)

 

 NASHE OKO

1. A Bit of a Stranger / Трішки чужа, 2024, dir. Svitlana Lishchynska (Ukraine, Germany, Sweden)

2.  A Picture to Remember / Фото на памʼять, 2023, dir. Olga Chernykh (Ukraine, France, Germany)

3. Checkpoint Zoo / Блокпост «Зоопарк», 2024, dir. Joshua Zeman (USA, Ukraine)

4.  Cognition Trilogy: Separation / Трилогія Пошуку: Сепарація, 2024, dir. Sophia Gera (Ukraine)

5.  Dad's Lullaby / Татова колискова, 2024, dir. Lesia Diak (Ukraine, Romania, Croatia)

6.  Glyadyelov. Focus On Infinity / Глядєлов, 2024, dir. Ksenia Kravtsova (Ukraine, Lithuania)

7. Homefront / Thuisfront, 2024, dir. Anna Yutchenko, Anna Ilchenko (Netherlands)

8.  Photophobia / Svetloplachosť / Фотофобія, 2023, Ivan Ostrochovský, Pavol Pekarčík (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ukraine)

9. The Basement / День як день, 2024, dir. Roman Blazhan (France, Ukraine)

 

OKO SHORT

[Ukrainian and Bulgarian Short Films]

1. A Fairy Tale in Embroidery / Приказка в шевици, 2024, dir. Veselin Dochev (Bulgaria)

2. A Pike is No Fish / Щука не риба, 2024, dir. Yelyzaveta Sherstnova (Ukraine)

3. Beware of a Good Dog / Uwaga, dobry pies! / Увага, добрий пес!, 2024, dir. Adelina Borets (Poland, Ukraine)

4. Chop Chop! / Чоп Чоп!, 2024, dir. Ievgen Koshyn (United Kingdom, Ukraine, Portugal, Estonia, Ireland)

5. Ever After / Віддалені наслідки, 2025, dir. Kateryna Molokopeieva (Ukraine) 

6. I Died in Irpin / Я померла в Ірпені, 2024, dir. Anastasiia Falileieva (Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic)

7. Lessons of Happiness / Уроки щастя, 2025, dir. Oleksii Yeroshenko (Ukraine)

8. Mermaid Cow Saga / Сага про корову-русалку, 2024, dir. Sashko Danylenko (USA, Ukraine, Iceland)

9. My Closet / Моя шафа, 2025, dir. Iuliia Kotsiuba (Ukraine)

10. My Morning Routine / Моя ранкова рутина, 2024, dir. Vadym Adamov (Ukraine)

11. The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent / Čovjek koji nije mogao šutjeti, 2024, dir. Nebojša Slijepčević (Croatia, France, Bulgaria, Slovenia)

12. Uncle Tolya / Дядя Толя, 2024, dir. Bohdan Adamenko (Ukraine)

13. Under the Skins / Под кожите, 2025, dir. Petar Penev (Bulgaria)

[International Fiction Short Films]

14. A Bear Remembers, 2025, dir.Linden Feng, Hannah Palumbo (UK)

15. Across the Waters, 2024, dir. Viv Li (France)

16. Almost Certainly False / Neredeyse Kesinlikle Yanlış, 2024, dir. Cansu Baydar (Turkey)

17. Blue Heart / Coeur Bleu, 2025, dir. Samuel Frantz Suffren (Haiti, France)

18. Even Though It's Night / Aunque es de noche, 2023, dir. Guillermo Galoe (Spain, France)

19. If the Sun Drowned Into an Ocean of Clouds / Et si le soleil plongeait dans l'océan de nues, 2023, dir. Wissam Charaf (France, Lebanon)

20. La Durmiente, 2025, dir. Maria Inês Gonçalves  (Portugal, Spain)

21. Pasta Negra, 2025, dir. Jorge Thielen Armand  (Venezuela, Columbia, Canada, Italy)

22. Rock Paper Scissors, 2024, dir. Franz Böhm (UK)

23. The Tie / Kravat, 2024, dir. Çamran Azizoğlu (Turkey)

24. Three Keenings, 2024, dir. Oliver McGoldrick (UK, Ireland, USA)

25. Yellow / Amarela, 2024, dir. André Hayato Saito (Brazil)

 [International Non-Fiction Short Films]

26. A Spectre Is Haunting the City, 2025, dir. Karl Kaisel (Estonia)

27. Bazaar Bus / Basris avtobusi, 2024, dir. Magnus Lorenz (Germany, Georgia)

28. Circle of Truth, 2024, dir. Nicola Hawkins (Canada)

29. One More Cup of Coffee for Ambe', 2024, dir. Shinta Retnani (UK, Indonesia)

30. Placekeepers, 2025, dir. Robert Hope (Georgia, USA)

31. The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing, 2024, dir. Theo Panagopoulos (UK)

32. Through the Window / Okienko, 2025, dir. Daniel Stopa (Poland)

33. We Beg to Differ, 2024, dir. Ruairi Bradley (Ireland, UK)

34. We Were the Scenery, 2025, dir. Christopher Radcliff (USA)

35. Who Loves the Sun, 2024, dir. Arshia Shakiba (Canada) 

[International Animated Short Films]

36. Criss Cross / Krížom krážom, 2023, dir. Nina Rybárová, Tomáš Rybár (Slovakia, Czech Republic)

37. Freeride in C / Brīvais nobrauciens, 2024, dir. Edmunds Jansons (Latvia)

38. Hello Summer / Ahoj leto, 2024, dir. Martin Smatana, Veronika Zacharová

(Slovakia, Czech Republic, France)

39. Hush Hush Little Bear / Čuči, čuči, 2022, dir. Māra Liniņa (Latvia)

40. In the End / Beigu beigas, 2023, dir. Linda Stūre (Latvia)

41.  In the Shadow of the Cypress / Dar Saaye Sarv, 2023, dir. Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani (IRI, France)

42. On Weary Wings Go By / Linnud läinud, 2024, dir. Anu-Laura Tuttelberg (Estonia, Lithuania)

 

ОКО FOCUS

1.  Krasna Malanka / Красна Маланка, 2013, dir. Dmytro Sukholytkyi-Sobchuk (Ukraine)

2.  Malanka and Christmas / Маланка та Різдво, 2024, dir. Mykola Nosok (Ukraine)

3. Masquerade Spirit / Духът на маскарадните игри, 2025, dir. Rossita Lazarova Sbaraglia (Italia, Bulgaria)

4.   Pamfir / Памфір, 2022, dir. Dmytro Sukholytkyi-Sobchuk (Ukraine, France, Poland, Luxembourg, Chile)

 

OKO SPECIAL 

1. *Attention: Children /  Обережно: Діти, 2025, dir.  Svitlana Rudiuk (Ukraine)

2. Class ‘90 / Клас ’90, 2025, dir. Boiko Boyanov (Bulgaria)

3.  Gundi — Legend of Love / Гунди — Легенда за любовта, 2024, dir. Dimitar Dimitrov (Bulgaria)

4. Flowers of Ukraine /  Квіти України, 2024, dir. Adelina Borets (Poland, Ukraine)

5.  Rave Толока / Rave Toloka /, 2024, dir. Anton Shtuka, Vital Karaban (Ukraine)

6. * Rocky Road to Berlin / Я, Побєда і Берлін, 2024, dir. Olha Riashyna (Ukraine) 

7. Waves of Bakota / Хвилі Бакоти, 2025, dir. Volodymyr Bakum (Ukraine) 

8.  Remember Me / Памʼятай мене, 2022, dir. Serhii Zeinalov (Ukraine) 

 

OKO RETROSPECTIVE & SPOTLIGHT

[Retrospective]

1. Krasna Malanka / Красна Маланка, 2013, dir. Dmytro Sukholytkyi-Sobchuk (Ukraine)

2.  We Will Not Fade Away / Ми не згаснемо, 2023, dir. Alisa Kovalenko (Ukraine, Czech Republic, France, Poland)

[Spotlight – Gennady Kofman & Magika Films]

3.  Ivan’s Land / Земля Івана, 2021, dir. Andrii Lysetskyi (Ukraine)

4.  National Museum / Національний музей, 2021, dir. Andriy Zahdanskyi (Ukraine, USA)

5.  Pryvoz / Привоз, 2021, dir. Eva Neymann (Ukraine)

6. Bobe Maises / Бобе Майсес, 1993, dir. Olena Kasavina (Ukraine)

7.  Prychynna. The Story of Love / Причинна, 2017, dir. Andrii Shcherbak (Ukraine)

 

[Programming Note: Due to rights holder restrictions, films marked with “*” will be screened exclusively in Sofia, Bulgaria.]