The 38th International Film Festival Molodist will kick off on Oct. 18 in Kyiv with a lively selection of movies amidst a political crisis in the country following last week’s presidential decree disbanding Ukraine’s parliament, according to Hollywood Reporter.

The festival, which originated in Soviet times, and survived the collapse of Communism, has preserved its focus on young filmmakers -- who compete in three categories, student film, first professional short film and first feature film.

The international jury, headed by U.S. actor Armand Assante will choose the best first feature from 13 films representing Eastern Europe, as well as the U.S., France, Canada and Iran, which will be awarded a Scythian Deer statuette on Oct. 26,

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Among the contestants are Bakur Bakuradze’s “Sultes,” the winner of the main prize at this year’s main Russian festival Kinotavr, and Brigitte Maria Bertele’s “Night Before Eyes,” the winner of the German First Steps Award.

Among the fest’s other programs, “Serbian “New Wave”,” which is expected to be presented by renowned director Emir Kusturica and “French Cinema Today,” are the most notable.

Hollywood Reporter