Festival Stozhary is an international actors film festival which takes place in Kyiv, Ukraine. The name of the festival is an Old Slavonic counterpart for the asterism of Pleiades. In the mythology of ancient Greece Pleiads were the 7 beautiful daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione. Turned into 7 birds by Zeus they later became 7 bright stars, which formed beautiful constellation.[1]
The mysterious 7 became the code structure of the festival “Stozhary” – 7 days the festival lasts, 7 prizes the winners receive, 7 members of jury, 7 colors of rainbow which along with the winged Pleaiad-maid became the symbol of the festival.[2]
Through the history of the festival - 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005, cinematographers from Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, Moldavia, Poland, Serbia, Austria, Italy, Germany, USA and Ukraine were the guests and participants of the festival contest. The festival was covered by the media of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Poland.
The festival contributes to strengthening and intensification of the brotherhood of actors and provides for non-official, non-formal atmosphere in which cinematographers can resolve issues, gain new experiences, teach and learn, share inspiration, uphold each other and bring happiness to the spectators.
Actors film festival is different from traditional festival forums in that only the actors works and performances are the subject for its contest and jury assessment. For today, International Film Festival Stozhary is the only international actors film festival in the world.
Festival history
Stozhary '95
1st Open Actors Film Festival Stozhary in Kyiv took place on August 22–28, 1995.
22 Ukrainian films produced since 1991 till 1995 took part in the contest. During the festival the score of press conferences, actor-audience meetings, round-table discussions and actors’ recitals (professional actors clubs) took place. The festival events were covered by the leading media of Ukraine and Russian TV companies. The series of Leonid Filatov TV program “O teh kogo pomnim…” was filmed during the festival, covering the life and work of prominent Ukrainian cinematographers Ivan Nikolaychuk, Leonid Bikov, Nikolai Grinko. Meetings with actors, premiere screenings and other festival events took place in Kyiv, Slavutich and Dnepropetrovsk cities of Ukraine. The festival success drew attention of the Ukrainian government and international actors community.
Stozhary '95 jury
Jury chairman: National Artist of the USSR Via Artmane Jury members: Raisa Nedashkivska (National Artist of Ukraine), Lev Perfilov (Honored artist of Ukraine), Svetlana Kruchkova, Igor Dmitriev, Vladimir Konkin, Elena Drapeko (National Artists of Russia).
Stozhary '95 Prize-Winners
| Nomination | Actor's Name | Film Name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Georgiy Drozd | Marrying Death | Nikolay Maschenko | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Aleksander Peskov | American Boy | Boris Kvashnev | Russia |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Inna Kapinos | Cherry Nights | Arkadiy Mikulskiy | Ukraine |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Galina Sulima | Marrying death | Nikolay Maschenko | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Bohdan Stupka | Fuchzhou | Michaylo Ilyenko | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Bohdan Stupka | Gelly and Nok | Vadim Ilyenko | Ukraine |
| Best Debut | Ivanka Ilyenko | Fuchzhou | Michaylo Ilyenko | Ukraine |
| Best Non-Professional Actor | Natalia Raskokoha | Fuchzhou | Michaylo Ilyenko | Ukraine |
| Best Non-Professional Actor | Vadim Skuratovski | Josephina the Singer
& the Mouse Nation |
Sergey Masloboyschikov | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in Short Film | Bohdan Benyuk | Vishivanka | Vasil Dombrovski | Ukraine |
Stozhary '95 Additional Awards
| Award | Actor's Name | Film Name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audience Admiration Prize | Vladimir Gostuhin | American Boy | Boris Kvashnev | Belarus |
| Audience Admiration Prize | Anatoliy Hostikoev | Vikup | Vladimir Balkashinov | Ukraine |
| Audience Admiration Prize | Andrey Ankudinov | A child by November | Alexander Pavlovski | Russia |
- Special Jury Prize: „To Director. For the High Professionalism in Work with an Actor”. Awarded to National Artist of Ukraine, director Nikolay Maschenko for the film „Marrying death”.
- Screen Actors Guild of Ukraine Special Prize: "To Actor. For the Great Contribution to Cinematography". Awarded to National Artist of Ukraine, Ada Rogovtseva; National Artist of Ukraine, Konstantin Stepankov; National Artist of Ukraine,
Ivan Gavriluk; National Artist of Ukraine, Natalia Naum.
Stozhary '97
2nd Open International Actors Film Festival Stozhary in Kyiv took place on August 30 - September 7, 1997.
Stozhary '97 was perfect international cinema celebration. The 2nd Stozhary festival invited more than 30 guests from CIS, Baltic States and Eastern Europe among which:
The Guests
Russia:
National Artists of Russia: Nikolai Karachentsov, Olga Kabo, Igor Bochkin, Vsevolod Shilovsky, Nikolai Burlyayev, Mikhail Svetin.
Actors: Andrey Ankudinov, Elena Tonunts.
Mark Rudinshtein (Festival “Kinotavr” General Producer).
Latvia: Ivars Kalniņš.
Georgia: Baadur Tsuladze (Honored Artist of Georgia, the President of Screen Actors Guild of Georgia).
Poland:
Film Director Jerzy Hoffman
Actors: Daniel Olbrychski,[3] Barbara Brylska, Jerzy Zelnik.
Critics: Janusz Gazda, Danuta Suchowierska.
Serbia:
Yovan Markovic (Script writer and Film Director).
Actors: Elena Zhigon, Vera Trifonova-Muyovich, Ivanna Zhigon.
Belarus:
National Artists of Belarus: Vladimir Gostuhin, Svetlana Okruzhnaya. Svetlana Suhovey (Honored Artist of Belarus, the President of Screen Actors Guild of Belarus).
Stozhary '97 jury:
Jury chairman: Valeria Zaklunnaya (National Artist of Ukraine).
Jury members: Barbara Brylska (Poland), Elena Zhigon (Serbia), Michael Svetin (Russia), Vladimir Gostuhin (Belarus), Ivars Kalniņš (Latvia), Michaylo Golubovich (Ukraine).
Stozhary '97 Prize-Winners
| Nomination | Actor's Name | Film Name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Igor Bochkin | Barhanov and his Bodyguard | Valeriy Lanskoy | Russia |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Marina Mogilevskaya | Reportazh | Vladimir Balkashinov | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Vsevolod Shilovskiy | Barhanov and his Bodyguard | Valeriy Lanskoy | Russia |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Nina Sharalapova | Michael Belikov | Ukraine | |
| Best Debut | Natalia Dolia | Off with the Shame | Alexander Muratov | Ukraine |
| Best Non-Professional Actress | Tatiana Krivitskaya | Deadman’s friend | Vyacheslav Krishtofovich | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in Short Film | Anatoliy Kotenev | Cherniy Yaschik | Belarus |
- Screen Actors Guild of Ukraine Special Prize: "To Actor. For the Great Contribution to Cinematography". Awarded to National Artists of Ukraine: Nikolay Olialin, Les Serdiuk, Raisa Nedashkivska, Larisa Kadochnikova, Lev Perfilov.
Testimony
I feel great here, not only as an artist but just as I am, as a person. On the whole, I think the festivals are indispensable as they let artists meet, dispute, argue time to time, and sometimes just see each other face to face. It always brings something new. I am so much surprised, so surprised with what I saw here. And not only concerning organization, hospitality etc. But the entire atmosphere every evening, the ability to see all the interesting and great in the city, and the ability to see and communicate with each other face to face. I am glad! Really glad that the festival is here in Kyiv. Because its so important for us, the Poles, that the renascence of national spirituality, without which there could be no state and economic development happens this way. And may the Lord help you! That’s why I am with you, with my entire heart I am with you!
It is very important, very important because someone thinks of our profession. In order for the performance or the movie to take place there will be one person, a cameraman who will turn the camera on. What is more important – we need at least one spectator and an actor. And when we have millions of spectators the actors will always be talented, the key is the work and love of spectators.
Stozhary '99
3rd International Actors Film Festival Stozhary in Kyiv took place on October 12–20, 1999.
Strozhary ‘99 screened the films by Emir Kusturica, Srdjan Dragojevic, Kira Muratova, Krzysztof Zanussi and other prominent movie makers. The festival invited its respected guests from CIS, Baltic States and Eastern Europe.
The Guests
Russia: Igor Bochkin, Eugene Zharikov, Natalya Gvozdikova, Andrew Ankudinov, Galina Bokashevskaya, Natalya Varley, Oleg Onufriev.
Latvia: Ivars Kalnins.
Georgia: Baadur Tsuladze (Honored Artist of Georgia, the President of Screen Actors Guild of Georgia).
Poland: Daniel Olbrychski, Dorota Stalinska, Agnieszka Włodarczyk, Janusz Gazda, Danuta Suchowierska.
Serbia: Yovan Markovic, Dragan Bjelogrlić, Lazar Ristovski, Alenka Rancic, Voja Miric, Dusan Pekic.
Belarus: Anatoliy Kotenev, Svetlana Suhovey, Svetlana Okruzhnaya.
Stozhary '99 jury
The festival jury was represented by 2 boards in 1999: the Actors Jury and the Critics Jury.
Actors Jury Chairman: Larisa Kadochnikova (National Artist of Ukraine).
Actors Jury members: Dorota Stakinska (Poland), Voya Miric (Serbia), Natalya Gvozdikova (National Artist of Russia), Baadur Tsuladze (Honored Artist of Georgia), Ivan Gavriluk (National Artist of Ukraine), Eve Kivi (National Artist of Estonia).
Critics Jury Chairman: Janusz Gazda
Critics Jury members: Valeria Gushchina (Russia), Alenka Ranchich (Serbia), Ludmila Lemesheva (Ukraine), Oksana Zabuzhko (Ukraine), Sergey Trimbach (Ukraine), Oksana Musienko (Ukraine).
Stozhary '99 Prize-Winners
| Nomination | Actor's Name | Film Name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Yuriy Dubrovin | Okraina | Pyotr Lutsik | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Zurab Begalishvili | Zdes Rassvet | Zaza Urushadze | Georgia |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Galina Bokashevskaya | Totalitarian Romance | Vyacheslav Sorokin | Russia |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Vsevolod Shilovskiy | Barhanov and his Bodyguard | Valeriy Lanskoy | Russia |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Dragan Nikolić | Barrel of Gunpowder | Goran Paskaljević | Serbia |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Zora Manojlovic | Rane | Srdjan Dragojevic | Serbia |
| Best Debut | Agnieszka Włodarczyk | Sara | Maciej Ślesicki | Poland |
| Best Debut | Dusan Pekic | Rane | Srdjan Dragojevic | Serbia |
- Special Prize: Crystal Bell "To Actor. For the Highest Creative Ascent". Awarded to the prominent figures in European Cinema: Bogdan Stupka (Ukraine), Daniel Olbrychski (Poland), Bata Živojinović (Serbia).
- Screen Actors Guild of Ukraine Special Prize: "To Actor. For the Great Contribution to Cinematography". Awarded to Margarita Krinitsina (National Artist of Ukraine) and Georgiy Drozd (National Artist of Ukraine).
Stozhary 2003
4th International Actors Film Festival Stozhary in Kyiv, August 22–28, 2003.
For the first time in the festival Stozhary history the philosophic round-table discussions took place. Headed by Nazip Hamitov (Ph. D., professor, author and radio programme host, writer, script writer and psychoanalyst) the discussions analysed wide spectrum of issues involving: "Eros and Thanatos in cinema", "The Evolution of Masculine and Feminine", "Masculinization of a Woman and Feminization of a Man", "Love Metamorphoses in Cinema on the Turn of Millennia: passion, friendship, co-creativity".
The Guests
Russia:
Stanislav Govorukhin (famous film director, MP), Elena Drapeko (National Artist of Russia, MP), Kirill Razlogov (Director of The Russian Institute for Cultural Research), Natalia Viko (writer, script writer), Valeia Gushchina (Director of the Screen Actors Guild of Russia).
Actors: Andrew Ankudinov, Sergey Glushko, Olga Filippova.
Georgia: Baadur Tsuladze (Honored Artist of Georgia), Niko Tavadze.
USA-Georgia: Levan Uchaneishvili.
Poland:
- Actors: Piotr Adamczyk, Gabriela Kownacka.
- Arts critics: Janusz Gazda, Danuta Suchowierska.
Serbia: Yovan Markovic (script writer, film director); Elena Golubovic, Katarina Radivojević.
Belarus: Svetlana Suhovey (Honored Artist of Belarus), Svetlana Zelenkovskaya, Anatoly Kot.
Contest Films:
| Film name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Shum Vetra (Sound of the Wind) | Segey Masloboyshchikov | Ukraine |
| Mamay | Oles Sanin | Ukraine |
| Chopin: Desire for Love | Jerzy Antczak | Польша |
| Quo vadis | Jerzy Kawalerowicz | Poland |
| Money is not Everything | Juliusz Machulski | Poland |
| Anastasia Slutskaya | Yuriy Elhov | Belarus |
| Karmen | Alexander Khvan | Russia |
| To Fall Up | Alexander Strizhenov | Russia |
| Zona Zamfirova | Zdravko Shotra | Serbia |
| Yagoda from Supremarket | Dushan Milich | Serbia |
| 27 Missing Kisses | Nana Dzhordzhadze | Georgia |
| By the Spiral Stairs | Merab Tavadze | Georgia |
Stozhary 2003 jury:
For the first time the festival jury was merged into single body involving the critics and the actors.
Jury Chairman: Raisa Nedashkovskaya (National Artist of Ukraine).
Jury members: Baadur Tsuladze, Janusz Gazda, Yovan Markovic, Kirill Razlogov, Nikolay Olialin (National Artist of Ukraine), Andrew Kurkov, Sergey Trimbatch, Ludmila Lemesheva.
Stozhary 2003 Prize-Winners
| Nomination | Actor's Name | Film Name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Piotr Adamczyk | Chopin: Desire for Love | Jerzy Antczak | Poland |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Danuta Stenka | Chopin: Desire for Love | Jerzy Antczak | Poland |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Alla Sergiyko | Shum Vetra | Sergey Masloboyshchikov | Ukraine |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Levan Uchaneishvili | 27 Stolen Kisses | Nana Djordjadze | USA-Georgia |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Marina Yakovleva | Falling Up | Alexander Strizhenov | Russia |
| Best Debut | Svetlana Zelenkovskaya | Anastasiya Slutskaya | Yuriy Elhov | Belarus |
| Best Debut | Niko Tavadze | Po Vintovoy Lestnitse | Merab Tavadze | Georgia |
| Best Non-Professional Actor | Sergey Glushko | Anastasiya Slutskaya | Yuriy Elhov | Russia |
- Special Jury Diploma: "For the Personification of Classic Image of a Woman in a Modern Way" in the film "Carmen" by Alexander Hvan. Awarded to Olga Filippova.
- Special Jury Diploma: "For Brilliant Presentation of a National Image" in the film "Zona Zamfirova" by Alexander Hvan. Awarded to Katarina Radivojević.
- Festival Executive Committee Special Prize: "Mother". Awarded to Stanislav Govorukhin, the founder of the alternative festival movement in Soviet and Pos-Soviet time.
Stozhary 2005
The form of the 5th International Actors Film Festival Stozhary (September 25–30, 2005) was slightly altered in 2005. The festival was given a new motto: "The Secret of Unfettered Mind." The rainbow, which symbolizes the clear light of human aura, became the official image of the festival.
The festival themes were made more specific in 2005 focusing the selection process on the films which tell of human spirituality, spiritual search and love. For the first time since its inception the festival received guests from Austria, Germany and Italy inviting Western European cinematographers to compete in the festival contest.
General list of films screened during the festival in 2005
| Festival Contest Participants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Film Name | Director | Country |
| Noch Svetla (The Bright Night) | Roman Balayan | Ukraine |
| Nastroyshchik (The Tuner) | Kira Muratova | Ukraine |
| Zalizna Sotnia (Iron Hundred) | Les Yanchuk | Ukraine |
| Ukradennoe Schastye (Stolen Happiness) | Andrey Donchik | Ukraine |
| Bless the Woman | Stanislav Govorukhin | Russia |
| Tbilisi, Tbilisi | Levan Zakareishvili | Georgia |
| Ono | Małgorzata Szumowska | Poland |
| Nienasycenie (Insatiability) | Wiktor Grodecki | Poland |
| Mój Nikifor (My Nikifor) | Krzysztof Krauze | Poland |
| Dunechka | Alexander Efremov | Belarus |
| Ainoa | Marco Kalantari | Austria |
| Midwinter's Night Dream | Goran Paskaljević | Serbia |
| Short Films | ||
| Peresohla Zemlia (Parched Land) | Taras Tomenko | Ukraine |
| Kofeman (Coffee Addict) | Alexander Itigilov | Ukraine |
| Bereg (The Сoast) | Konstantin Denesuk | Ukraine |
| Redkiy Dozhd (Drizzle) | Georgiy Deliev | Ukraine |
| Tatar Triptych | Alexander Muratov | Ukraine |
| Christina and Denis | Dmitriy Popov | Ukraine |
| Escho Raz o Voyne (Again About the War) | Petr Krivostanenko | Belarus |
| The Bridge | Mishko Miloevic | Serbia |
| Hors Concours Screenings | ||
| Ne Hlebom Edinim | Stanislav Govorukhin | Russia |
| Julia Walking Home | Agnieszka Holland | Canada, Poland |
| Karol: A Man Who Became Pope | Giacomo Battiato | Poland |
| The Prayer of Leyla | Satibaldy Narimbetov | Kazakhstan |
Stozhary 2005 jury
The festival jury was again represented by 2 boards.
Actors Jury: Marina Mogilevskaya (Chairman, Russia), Vladimir Goryansky (Ukraine), Alexander Pankratov-Cherniy (Russia), Nikita Dzhigurda (Russia), Vera Trifonova-Mujovic (Serbia), Svetlana Zelenkovskaya (Belarus).
Critics Jury: Nazip Hamitov (Chairman), Ludmila Lemesheva (Ukraine), Yovan Markovic (Serbia), Yulia Monahova (Russia), Svetlana Krilova (Ukraine).
Stozhary 2005 Prize-Winners
| Nomination | Actor's Name | Film Name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Krystyna Feldman | Mój Nikifor | Krzysztof Krauze | Poland |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Georgiy Deliev | The tuner | Kira Muratova | Ukraine |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Svetlana Hodchenkova | Bless the Woman | Stanislav Govorukhin | Russia |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Marek Walczewski | Ono | Małgorzata Szumowska | Poland |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Irina Kupchenko | Noch Svetla | Roman Balayan | Russia |
| Best Debut | Michal Lewandowski | Nienasycenie (Insatiability) | Wiktor Grodecki | Poland |
| Best Non-Professional Actor | Małgosia Bela | Ono | Małgorzata Szumowska | Poland |
| Best actor in short film | Sergey Sipliviy | Peresohla Zemlia | Taras Tomenko | Ukraine |
| Best actress in short film | Svetlana Kozhemyakina | Escho Raz o Voyne | Petr Krivostanenko | Belarus |
In the context of the festival complementary programs the series of activities took place:
- Round-table discussions: "Unfettered Mind: infernal to divine." Author and the host - Nazip Hamitov (Ph. D., professor, psychoanalyst). The films "Ainoa" by Marco Kalantari and "Insatiability" by Wiktor Grodecki were the key subjects for discussions which involved the dialogues with the filmmakers and the actors in key roles, and the film psychoanalysis.
- Close-up meeting: "Politics in the Cinema". Participants: Stanislav Govorukhin, Daniel Olbrychski, Jan Machulski, Baadur Tsuladze.
- Masterclasses: Georgy Deliev, Baadur Tsuladze, Nikita Dzhigurda.
Panorama
Along with the films which compete in the contest festival Stozhary also demonstrates hors concours movies. The panorama participants do not compete and are awarded precise diplomas based on the jury's decision.
The Stars of the Day to Come: "The Stars of the Day to Come" is the festival panorama section which screens the works of children and younger actors under 16.
In 2005 the diplomas were awarded to:
| Actor's Name | Film Name | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maria Vozba | Dunechka | Alexander Efremov | Belarus |
| Olga Goliza | Noch Svetla | Roman Balayan | Ukraine |
| Dasha Tarasuk | Mechta (The Dream) | Aksinya Kurina | Ukraine |
| Philip Sotnichenko | Kristina i Denis | Dmitriy Popov | Ukraine |
| Irina Salagaeva | Tatar Triptych | Alexander Muratov | Ukraine |
- Special Jury Diploma: "For the highest professionalism in reflecting the depths of the human "Self." Awarded to Lazar Ristovski (Serbia) for the film "Midwinter's Night Dream" by director Goran Paskaljević.
- Special Jury Prize: "For the personification of love saving the world." Awarded to Verena Buratti (Italy) for the film "Ainoa" by director Marco Kalantari.
- Special Jury Diploma: "For disclosing infernal sides of the human being." Awarded to Cezary Pazura (Poland) for the film "Nienasycenie" by director Wiktor Grodecki.
- Special Jury Diploma: "For the highest professionalism in revealing the spirituality a contemporary person." Awarded to Baadur Tsuladze (Georgia) for the films "Tbilisi, Tbilisi" by Levan Zakareishvili, "Bereg" by Konstantin Denesuk, "The Prayer of Leyla" by Satibaldy Narimbetov.
- Special Prize: Crystal Bell "To Actor. For the Highest Creative Ascent". Awarded to Nikolay Olialin (National Artist of Ukraine).
Festival nominations
Key Nominations
- Best actor in a leading role
- Best actress in a leading role
- Best actor in a supporting role
- Best actress in a supporting role
- Best non-professional actor
- Best debut
- Best episode.
Secondary Nominations
- Best actor in short film
- Best young actor.
Festival Goals
- to provide for professional, creative "actors workshop" - an atmosphere of absolute mental and emotional trust;
- to view the works and see the views of experts and young colleagues from CIS, Baltic States and Europe;
- to draw interest to new attainments of movie makers;
- to provide for development of culture of cinema in Ukraine;
- to demonstrate the works of European movie experts, their search for new language and technologies in cinema art.