regulations

• The 2nd Alania International Festival of Authentic Cinema will take place from September 10 to 13, 2026, in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, Russia.
• Alania is dedicated to the search for authenticity—authentic artistic expression, cinematic craftsmanship, and experimentation. Each competition programme aims to highlight the unique voice of contemporary filmmakers.
• The festival presents films that seek and express authenticity in its many forms—through distinctive artistic vision, regional identity, and experimentation with cinematic language.
• The Festival is organized by the North Ossetian Regional Branch of the Russian Folklore Union.
• The Festival is held with the support of the Vladikavkaz City Administration and the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.

• Support emerging and established filmmakers from the North Caucasus Federal District.
• Promote authentic cinematic language and raise international awareness of Russian auteur cinema.
• Create a platform for dialogue between film industry professionals, filmmakers, and audiences.
• Foster film education and preserve continuity between generations of filmmakers in Russia.
• Encourage cultural exchange and strengthen mutual understanding among peoples and filmmakers from around the world.

3.1. Competition Programmes

The International Competition includes:

• Short (up to 40 minutes), medium-length (40–60 minutes), and feature-length (60–180 minutes) fiction and documentary films.

The North Caucasus National Competition includes:

• Short (up to 40 minutes), medium-length (40–60 minutes), and feature-length (60–180 minutes) fiction and documentary films.
• The programme consists primarily of premiere screenings of films produced in the North Caucasus Federal District or created by filmmakers from the North Caucasus Federal District.

The Phantasmes International Experimental Film Competition includes:

• Short (up to 40 minutes), medium-length (up to 60 minutes), and feature-length (60–180 minutes) experimental and animated films.

3.2. Out-of-Competition Programmes and Special Screenings

• The out-of-competition programmes are curated and organized by the Festival Organizing Committee. The number of such programmes each year is determined according to the Festival's current needs and capacities.
• Films selected for the Festival's out-of-competition programmes and special screenings are invited by the curator of each programme directly from the rights holder. Screening licence fees are paid by the Festival on the basis of an invoice issued by the rights holder. The licence fee is negotiated individually and may vary from film to film.
• The number of invited guests participating in the out-of-competition programmes is determined annually by the Festival Organizing Committee, taking into account the Festival's current needs and capacities.

3.3. Industry Programme

• The Festival's Industry Programme consists of roundtable discussions, professional workshops, and masterclasses.
• Speakers participating in the Industry Programme are invited by the Festival. Travel expenses, visa support, and accommodation costs are covered by the Festival.
• The Festival Organizing Committee determines whether travel and accommodation expenses for participants in the professional workshops will be covered, based on the Festival's current needs and available resources.

4.1. Submission of Entries

• All submitted films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
• The submission period runs from May 18, 2026, to July 31, 2026. Films completed in 2026 may be submitted as rough cuts. Premiere status is preferred.
• Films may be submitted via the Festival website or through the FilmFreeway platform. The production year is determined by the copyright notice displayed in the film credits.
• No submission fee is charged for entries to the International Competition, the North Caucasus National Competition, or the Phantasmes International Experimental Film Competition when submitted through the Festival website.
• Entries submitted via FilmFreeway are subject to the following submission fees:
  • €10 (or RUB 1,000) for feature-length films (60–180 minutes).
  • €5 (or RUB 500) for short films (up to 40 minutes) and medium-length films (up to 60 minutes).

4.2. Required Submission Materials

• Running time.
• Country and year of production.
• Premiere status.
• Subtitle language.
• Logline and synopsis.
• Film stills and an excerpt from the film.
• Screening or download link.
• Director's biography.
• Production team information.

4.3. Rights Granted Upon Selection

• To use an excerpt of the film (up to 3 minutes) for the promotion of the film and the Festival.
• To use the film trailer for promotional purposes.
• To use published materials relating to the film and its creative team for promotional purposes.
• To screen the film no more than two (2) times during the Festival and the Festival Echo programme.
• The rights holder guarantees that the screening of the film at the Festival does not infringe the rights of any third party.

4.4. Technical Requirements

• Screening copies of selected films must be delivered to the Festival Organizing Committee via online file transfer no later than August 28, 2026. Only digital formats are accepted. If the screening copy is not received by the deadline, the Festival reserves the right to withdraw the film from the competition programme.
• Competition films must be provided either as a DCP package in the original language or as a high-definition Apple ProRes file in the original language.
• Out-of-competition films and special screenings may be provided either as a DCP package or as a high-definition Apple ProRes file in the original language.
• If the original language of the film is not English, the screening copy must include English or Russian subtitles.
• If the original language of the film is Russian, the screening copy must include English subtitles.
• Separate (switchable) subtitles supplied as an additional DCP package are preferred. Burnt-in subtitles are also accepted.
• Detailed technical specifications will be provided separately to all selected participants. Films that do not comply with these technical requirements may be rejected for screening.

• Films are selected by the Festival Selection Committee under the supervision of the Festival Programme Director. Rights holders of films selected for any competition programme will be contacted using the information provided in the submission form.
• The Festival does not accept films that are publicly available for online viewing or have previously been broadcast on television.
• Films containing calls for violence, degrading human dignity, or promoting antisocial behaviour are not eligible for participation.
• The Festival is under no obligation to provide written or verbal explanations regarding its selection decisions. No screening fee is paid for films selected for the competition programmes.
• The official selection will be announced on the Festival website, alaniafilmfestival.ru, no later than August 21, 2026.

• The preferred method of delivering screening copies is via digital file transfer over the Internet.
• The Festival covers the costs of physical shipment, return transportation, and storage of screening copies.

7.1. Jury

• The International Jury is composed of Russian film professionals and international filmmakers, excluding individuals directly involved in the organization of the Festival.
• For the evaluation of the competition programmes, the International Jury is divided into:
  • International Competition Jury.
  • North Caucasus National Competition Jury.
  • Phantasmes International Experimental Film Competition Jury.
• The Festival Organizing Committee appoints the Jury President from among the members of the International Jury.
• The Jury President serves as a member of the International Competition Jury.
• All decisions of the International Jury are final and binding.
• In the event of a tied vote, the Jury President shall have the casting vote, regardless of the competition category.

7.2. Awards

• The Jury presents one award in each of the following categories:
  • Best Film — International Competition.
  • Best Film — North Caucasus National Competition.
  • Best Film — Phantasmes International Experimental Film Competition.
  • Audience Award.
• The Festival Organizing Committee reserves the right to introduce additional awards or increase the number of prizes without amending these Regulations.
• The award ceremony takes place during the Festival Closing Ceremony.
• The Jury President announces the winners and presents the awards.
• Winners receive the Festival trophy and an official diploma.
• All films participating in the competition programmes receive a certificate of participation.
• The amount of any cash awards is determined annually by the Festival Organizing Committee, subject to the Festival's available resources.

• The Festival Organizing Committee determines which guests and participants are invited to the Festival and establishes the conditions of their stay in Vladikavkaz.
• Upon request, the Festival Organizing Committee provides assistance with hotel reservations and transportation arrangements.
• Upon request, the Festival Organizing Committee issues invitation letters to international participants to support their visa applications. Visa fees and related consular expenses are the responsibility of the participant.

• The Festival Organizing Committee reviews applications for complimentary accreditation from film industry professionals, students of creative disciplines, and members of the press.
• The Festival does not cover travel or accommodation expenses for holders of Guest Accreditation or Press Accreditation.
• To obtain accreditation, applicants must complete the appropriate application form on the Festival website no later than August 31, 2026.
• Invited guests receive Festival accreditation granting access to all Festival events without the need to submit an accreditation application.

• The applicant warrants the accuracy of all information provided, confirms that all necessary rights have been obtained, and guarantees that the submitted film is free from third-party legal claims.
• All submitted films must comply with the legislation of the Russian Federation and must not contain any prohibited content.
• Once participation in the Festival has been officially confirmed, the film may not be withdrawn from the programme.
• Applicants acknowledge that the Festival reserves the right to modify the format of screenings and related events in response to public health and safety considerations or in accordance with the requirements of local, regional, or federal authorities.

• Participation in the Festival constitutes full acceptance of these Regulations.
• Any matters not expressly covered by these Regulations shall be resolved in accordance with generally accepted international practices governing film festivals.

Festival Venues

• Kinematograf "Paté", 23 Mira Avenue, Vladikavkaz, Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, Russia.
• Mamison All-Season Mountain Resort, Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, Russia.

Contact

Email: info@alaniafilmfestival.ru

Official Websites

• alaniafilmfestival.ru
• filmfreeway.com/AlaniaFilmFestival

Official Social Media

• t.me/alaniafilmfestival
• vk.com/alaniafilmfestival

We look forward to welcoming you to the Alania International Festival of Authentic Cinema.