Russian Open Documentary Film Festival Artdocfest

Russian Open Documentary Film Festival Artdocfest
Photo: artdocfest.ru
The Russian Open Documentary Film Festival, also known as Artdocfest, is the largest documentary film festival in Russia. It was founded in 2007 and since then it has become one of the most important events in the country’s film industry. Artdocfest prides itself on screening the most innovative documentary films which often defy traditional formats and genres.

Artdocfest was founded by the Union of Filmmakers of the Russian Federation and the board of directors of the Laurel Branch Award (Russia’s national award for non-feature films and documentary television). The festival takes place every December with submission closing in September. The festival is open to films from any country on the condition that they are in Russian or have been made by Russian or Russian-speaking directors. Preference is given to films that will premiere at the festival and to films whose directors focus on developing the language of documentary filmmaking.

Since its inception, Artdocfest has grown to become Russia’s largest documentary film festival, both in terms of entries and screenings, and the volume of the professional and business program. Over the last few years, each edition of the festival has attracted about 20,000 attendees, including participants, special guests, and cinema enthusiasts from all over Russia and abroad.

The Russian Open Documentary Film Festival culminates in the Laurel Branch Award ceremony. As of 2017, the award is presented in five categories: Best Non-feature Film, Best Art Film, Best Non-feature Television Film, Best Popular Science of Educational Film, and Best Documentary Debut in Film or Television. Alongside the main competition program, the festival hosts non-competition screenings (opening film, special screenings and programs) and industry events such as round table discussions, forums and pitching sessions.

Originally held in Moscow, Artdocfest has expanded to host parallel screenings in other Russian cities (Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg) and even abroad (special Artdocfest events at the Riga IFF in Latvia).

Artdocfest

Photo: planeta.ru



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