XXVIII International Documentary Film Festival “Meetings in Siberia” in Memory of Ella Davletshina

About

The founder of the XXVIII International Documentary Film Festival “Meetings in Siberia” in Memory of Ella Davletshina is Pobeda LLC. The festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Novosibirsk Region, the Novosibirsk City Administration, and the Novosibirsk Regional Branch of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia. The festival’s General Director is Irina Krasnopolskaya.

The festival’s theme for 2026 is “Crossroads of Cultures.” We invite submissions of films that focus on the interconnections and dialogue between cultures, exploring and creatively interpreting the diversity of the modern world through the lens of cultural intersections.

OBJECTIVES OF THE FESTIVAL – Presentation of films, film programs by various directors and festivals to a wide Novosibirsk audience and the surrounding region; - To foster a creative atmosphere and facilitate interaction between viewers and documentary filmmakers; - To organize seminars and master classes on issues related to documentary filmmaking.

Awards

- Grand Prix – the Ella Davletshina Award;

- Best Feature-Length Documentary;

- Best Short Documentary;

- Best Documentary in the Student Competition

Rules

The festival features Russian and international documentary films completed no earlier than January 1, 2024. A distribution certificate is not a mandatory requirement. Preference is given to Russian premieres. Films must not exceed 60 minutes in length. In exceptional cases, a film may be longer than 60 minutes. The content of the films must align with the thematic focus “Crossroads of Cultures.” The student competition accepts documentary films created by students of film schools and relevant university departments.

Films selected for the festival upon agreement may be screened throughout the year at non-commercial cultural screenings at the Pobeda Culture and Recreation Center and the Novosibirsk Museum of Documentary Cinema. Applicants must indicate on the application form whether they consent to non-commercial screenings for cultural and educational purposes. In such cases, agreements with rights holders regarding the terms will not concluded after the film is selected for the festival program.

Premiere Requirements

No premiere requirement

Jury and Organizers

The founder of the XXVIII International Documentary Film Festival “Meetings in Siberia” in Memory of Ella Davletshina is Pobeda LLC. The festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Novosibirsk Region, the Novosibirsk City Administration, and the Novosibirsk Regional Branch of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia.