OKO is a film festival that was born in the beautiful southern Ukrainian region of Bessarabia. Due to the outbreak of war, the festival’s third edition took place in Poland, with the support and within the framework of the renowned EnergaCAMERIMAGE International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography. The 4th edition of OKO will have two parts: Ukrainian and Bulgarian, with the respective dates of September 9-16 in Bolhrad, Ukraine, and September 23-30 in Sofia, Bulgaria*.
*the organizers have the right to change the dates and location of the festival based on the current situation in Ukraine; participants will be informed about any changes.
What is OKO?
OKO is a film festival that takes place in the beautiful southern Ukrainian region of Bessarabia. It is a festival of ethnographic and anthropological documentaries, where the audience will feel the heartbeat of small and large nations, get acquainted with the diversity of cultures, traditions, beliefs, and ways of life. OKO is a multicultural event where filmmakers, folklorists, anthropologists, and ethnographers will be able to better understand each other, share ideas, and agree on future cooperation.
There will be no red carpet; nevertheless, there will be awards and prizes.
Do I pay for a submission?
Submissions for Ukrainian and International filmmakers are free of charge up to the Last Call deadline. You can submit your films via Filmfreeway until July 1st, 2023.
Are there cash prizes?
The winner in the Short Film category will receive an award of 20,000 UAH.
The winner in the Feature Film category will receive an award of 40,000 UAH.
The Audience Award will be given to the film(s) selected by viewers' voting during the film festival in Bolhrad and in Sofia.
There will also be a special prize for Ukrainian and Bulgarian fiction and documentary films that are out of competition.
The best film works will get organizational and informational support and will be recommended for practical implementation and further distribution on the VoD services of MEGOGO (Ukraine) and Neterra.TV (Bulgaria).
The winners of the film festival will be awarded at the closing ceremony.