Ireland’s submission for the Academy Awards will receive its London premiere at the opening night of the Women and the World International Film Festival, which kicks off Nov. 6 with a star-studded gala featuring Sophie Windsor, Duchess of Edinburgh.
“Sanatorium,” directed by Gar O’Rourke, is Ireland’s entry for the best international feature film category. The documentary explores themes of memory and renewal within a former Soviet sanatorium near war-torn Odessa.
The Nov. 6-12 festival will open with a ceremony featuring Windsor, newly appointed as a festival ambassador, presenting the Women of Global Impact Award before the “Sanatorium” screening.
“We are proud to announce that Lady Sophie Windsor is becoming an ambassador of the festival,” said festival director Ksenia Bugrimova. “We know Sophie as someone who deeply cares about social issues and uses her voice to support meaningful causes. As an actress, public figure and member of the British Royal Family, her values and work perfectly align with the mission of our festival, which celebrates and supports women in cinema. It is a great honour and joy for us to welcome Sophie to the festival.”
This year’s program features films from Ukraine, Ireland, the U.K., the U.S., Japan, China, Latin America and across Europe, exploring themes ranging from war and cancer to identity and domestic violence.
“For us, it is not only about celebrating women’s creativity in cinema, but also about recognising women as agents of change and security. This mission is both personal and vital,” said co-founder Mariia Vynogradova.
The 2025 jury includes Peter Straughan (“Conclave,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”), Daniel Ings (“The Gentlemen,” “The Crown”), Tamara Lawrance (“The Silent Twins,” “Time”), Victoria Emslie (“Downton Abbey,” “12 Monkeys,” “Grace”), Diem Camille (“The Wheel of Time,” “Alien: Earth”), Bugrimova and Elizabeth McIntyre (ScreenCraft Works, former Sheffield Doc/Fest director).
The festival is organized by Talented U Limited, a London-based cultural platform and production team founded by Ukrainian producers in 2022. The nonprofit connects filmmakers, journalists and creatives from more than 12 countries, presenting Ukrainian stories to British and global audiences.
variety.com
#Sanatorium #Open #Women #World #Film #Festival
