The 7 Best Russian Film Festivals

Russians are proud of their cinema. From the Soviet classics to modern masterpieces, films are always a good icebreaker while making friends with Russians. Where there are films, film festivals must follow. The calendar of film-related events in Russia is full of hidden gems. Here is the list of seven best film festivals that Russia has to offer.

Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF)

Moscow International Film Festival was first held in 1935 with Sergei Eisenstein as the chairman of the jury. It is the second oldest film festival in the world, right after the Venice Film Festival. The second edition of the festival was held in 1959, and then taken place biannually (alternating with Karlovy Vary Film Festival) until 1995, when it began being held every year. Its programme includes both Russian and international feature films, documentaries and short films. In 2017, a separate section of the festival was devoted to films unfolding in virtual reality. MIFF takes place every year at the end of July and is most certainly worth your attention.

A stamp commemorating 3rd edition of the Festival in 1963

Doker

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUpWyhglDg5/?hl=pl&taken-by=midff

Flahertiana

Flahertiana is yet another documentary film festival held in Russia which draws international stars of the documentary scene. It takes place in Perm, the last city on the European side of the Ural mountains. Flahertiana is inspired by the works of Robert Flaherty, one of the founders of the documentary filmmaking, Films presented in Flahertiana follow closely the lives of ordinary characters and tell their story to the wide audience. Since 2006, Flahertiana is held every year in September.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKcx7RjBgcf/?hl=pl&taken-by=flahertiana

ArtDocFest

ArtDokFest is the biggest festival of Russian documentary films. On top of the main competition, it also includes many special screenings of both Russian and international documentary films. The screenings take place in December in multiple locations across the country: in 2017 the films were chosen to be shown in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. ArtDocFest is definitely a place to go to if you’re interested in Russia in general and Russian documentary films in particular.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYnMzTxFiO7/?hl=pl&taken-by=artdocfest

Kinotavr

Kinotavr is the biggest festival of Russian fiction films. It’s held annually in Sochi. Its first edition took place in 1991. Every year Sochi turns into the capital of Russian cinema, drawing the brightest-shining film stars and the most devoted audience. Since the festival takes place in June, it is a perfect destination for those who are fond of great films and beach holidays — Sochi is one of the biggest beach resorts in Russia.

International Kansk Festival

The Kansk festival is one of the most interesting events on Russia’s calendar. It takes place in the town of Kansk in Siberia, in Krasnoyarsk Krai. The town was found on the internet and chosen to host the festival since Kansk in Russian is pronounced in a very similar way as Cannes (where the famous annual French international film festival is held). The International Kansk Festival is open to both professionals and amateurs creating some sort of digital video art: short films and video projects not exceeding 30 mins in length. The festival is held every year in August/September. Some of the screenings take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as in Kansk.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYLNEPMgpE9/?hl=pl&taken-by=kansk_fest

Shorts

Shorts is an international festival of short films. Fiction films and animations not exceeding 15 minutes in length take part in the competition. Films longer than that, and documentaries as well, are shown in special screenings. The festival takes place every year in October/November in the town of Tula in the Moscow Oblast.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbKLzSXFY8M/?taken-by=shortsfilm

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.