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Schedule
11:00 am doors are open cultural program starts (more details coming soon)
12:00 pm Short Documentaries Showcase starts (Q&A and winner’s announcement)
2:00 pm Networking Party for Slavic Filmmakers
3:30 pm Short Films Showcase starts (Q&A and winner’s announcement)
Catering provided by @markellprokitchen
🎟️ Free Admission We’re excited to welcome everyone to the First International Slavic Film Festival! All screenings, panels, and events are completely free of charge — no tickets required. Just come, enjoy the films, and celebrate Slavic culture with us!
Welcome to the
First International Slavic Film
Festival
October 4th 2025, 251 Main St, Los Angeles. The KULT
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 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.
International Slavic Film Festival
Showcases
Documentaries
UNITY
Directed by Siarhei Bespalau
Poland
Islander On A Mountain
Directed by Meri Tadic
Croatia/Switzerland
The Bread of Mother Tradition
Directed by Marko Plejić
Croati
Ukrainians in Exile
Directed by Janek Ambros
Ukraine
Patriarch of Sacramento (outside of competition)
Directed by Rimma Panin
United States
Short Films
Południca
Directed by Julia Bui Ngoc, Mai Bui Ngoc
Poland
Better Not Write
Directed by Tatyana Batalova
United States
Dancing in the Stars
Directed by Lazar Jovanović
Serbia
The Only Son
Directed by Piotr Matyja
United States
The Outliers
Directed by Anastasia Olen
Russian Federation
In Sickness and in Health
Directed by Devina Vassileva
Bulgaria
Vasomotor Rhinitis
Directed by Mikheil Gabaidze
Georgia
Islander On A Mountain
Directed by Meri Tadic
Croatia
GOOSECAM
Directed by Ira Groza
United States
VISITOR
Directed by Daniyar Aynitdinov
United States
The First Night
Directed by Silvia Gregorova
Czech Republic
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.
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.
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.
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Alona Ksenofontova
A hair stylist with over 13 years of experience in the film industry and a member of the Hollywood film union Local 706. Her work spans a wide range of productions across Europe and the United States, where she skillfully merges diverse techniques and creative approaches from both cinematic traditions. Alona has also contributed her expertise to projects at Warner Bros., further enriching her international portfolio. She specializes in character styling for film and television, bringing a versatile skill set to every project and thriving in both major studio productions and independent films.
Artem Nasybulin
An award-winning Russian TV and film director known for hit series like “Absurd,” “Sketch of Murder,” and “New Man.” A graduate of the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, he has directed hundreds of episodes across major Russian networks, blending sharp storytelling with a deep understanding of contemporary life. His work spans drama, comedy, and crime, making him one of the most versatile directors in Russian television today.
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!
