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Welcome to the
First International Slavic Film Festival
The Slavic International Film Festival in Los Angeles invites filmmakers of Slavic heritage to submit their work.
We are seeking documentaries and short films that showcase the creative endeavors of filmmakers from various Slavic countries, including but not limited to Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine, Croatia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Our festival aims to highlight the voices and stories of Slavic culture in all its diversity.
Submissions should align with our festival's mission to not only showcase films but also to foster a deeper understanding of Slavic cultures, promote dialogue among diverse audiences, and inspire artists worldwide.
Categories
Documentaries
The Best Documentary
Awarded to the producers and director for outstanding documentary filmmaking.
The Best Cultural Representation
Recognizes a documentary that excellently portrays Slavic culture
.
Faith and Foundation Award
Honors a documentary that explores the Slavic religious community in the US.
The Best Cinematography
For outstanding cinematography by a cinematographer of Slavic heritage.
The Best Debut
Given to the producers, director, or cinematographer for the best first independent or student documentary film.
Audience Choice Award
Determined by audience votes for their favorite short film.
Short Films
The Best Short
Awarded to the producers and director for the best short film.
The Best Cultural Integration
Recognizes a short film that effectively integrates Slavic culture into its narrative.
The Best Slavic Character
Awarded to the producers, director, and actor for creating and portraying a compelling Slavic character.
The Best Cinematography
For outstanding cinematography by a cinematographer of Slavic heritage.
The Best Debut
Given to the producers, director, or cinematographer for the best first independent or student documentary film.
Audience Choice Award
Determined by audience votes for their favorite short film.
Submission Guidelines
Eligibility
Open to filmmakers of Slavic heritage or films centered on Slavic themes.
Film Length
Documentaries should not exceed 20 minutes; short films should not exceed 20 minutes.
Language
Films can be in any language but must include English subtitles if not in English.
Submission Format: Accept digital submissions via secure screener links (e.g., Vimeo).
Entry Fees: please, visit FilmFreeway page to get more info.
Jury
Sasha Razor
is a lecturer in Germanic and Slavic Studies and Film and Media Studies at UC Santa Barbara. She earned her PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures from UCLA in 2020, with a dissertation focused on Soviet screenwriting in the 1920s and 1930s. Her research interests include avant-garde cinema and literature, Belarusian and Ukrainian culture, migration and diaspora studies.
Lydie M. Denier
is an actress-turned-filmmaker with a passion for storytelling that transcends the screen. After a successful acting career with over forty television series and feature films she has shifted her focus to writing, directing, and producing films.
As a filmmaker, Lydie is committed to nurturing emerging talent, serving as an executive producer on short films that give young filmmakers a platform to bring their visions to life. Her directorial debut, Unforgotten Box, is a deeply personal documentary that reflects her love for intimate, thought-provoking narratives.
Jacob Michelson
is a multifaceted artist, entrepreneur, and mentor based in Los Angeles, California. Born in Georgia during the era of the USSR, he later lived in Latvia and Israel, where he studied art. In 1989, he moved to Los Angeles, initially exploring the film,theatre and dance industries .
Michelson produced few films including the feature film "Sonhos de Peixe," which won award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006.
Vita Solzberg
is founder of the Speaking Creation Inc, a documentary film maker and an art activist and promoter. She was born in Belarus. Native to the Slavic culture, world's fine arts and the science of physics with Fractals being her forever inspiration, Vita got a degree in the History and Theory of Fine Arts but focused on journalism. She excelled in TV news reportage, documentaries, feature films, and unscripted reality before moving to Los Angeles and returning to her lifelong dream of promoting creativity.
Misha Suvorov
is a trained actor from the city of theaters, Saint Petersburg, Russia. He graduated Sanford Meisner Center in 2016 and works on stage, TV and in film. Coming from an artsy soviet intelligentsia family, he enjoyed a privilege of having the best of what late soviet era of underground arts could offer. As of his acting style, Misha undertook Konstantin Stanislavski's method study and additional training in Mikhail Chekov's technique. In 2013 Misha arrived at Hollywood were he studied at Sanford Meisner Center of Los Angeles to learn an American way of acting. In 2024 his solo acting stage performance The Boarder won the Best of The Actors' group during the Hollywood Fringe festival.
Visit Our Store to support The
festival
Support the Slavic Film Festival in style! Visit our store to browse our exclusive merchandise, from trendy t-shirts to unique accessories, each purchase helps bring our festival to life. Show your love for Slavic cinema and culture while wearing our specially designed products. Shop now to make a statement and help ensure that Slavic voices and stories get the spotlight they deserve. Your support makes all the difference—let's celebrate Slavic heritage together!
