1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
The 2nd International Festival of Authentic Cinema “Alania” will take place from September 10 to 13, 2026, in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania.
“Alania” is focused on the search for authenticity — the authenticity of artistic expression, cinematic artistry, and experimentation. Each competition aims to reveal the individuality of contemporary filmmakers.
The Festival seeks films that explore and reflect authenticity in its various forms — through the filmmaker’s unique voice, geographical identity, and experimentation with cinematic language.
The Festival is organized by the North Ossetian Regional Branch of the All-Russian Public Organization “Russian Folklore Union.”
The Festival is held with the support of the Administration of the City of Vladikavkaz and the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.
2. OBJECTIVES
* Supporting filmmakers from the North Caucasus Federal District.
* Promoting authentic cinematic language and drawing attention to Russian auteur cinema.
* Creating a platform for dialogue between film industry professionals, filmmakers, and audiences.
* Developing film education and preserving continuity between generations in Russia.
* Enhancing cultural exchange and mutual understanding among peoples and filmmakers worldwide.
3. FESTIVAL PROGRAMS
3.1 Competition Program
International Competition includes:
* Short films (up to 40 min.)
* Medium-length films (40 to 60 min.)
* Feature-length films (60 to 180 min.)
Both fiction and documentary films are eligible.
North Caucasus National Competition includes:
* Short films (up to 40 min.)
* Medium-length films (40 to 60 min.)
* Feature-length films (60 to 180 min.)
Both fiction and documentary films are eligible.
The program consists primarily of premiere screenings of films shot within the territory of the North Caucasus Federal District or created by filmmakers from the North Caucasus Federal District.
International Experimental Film Competition “Phantasmes” includes:
* Short films (up to 40 min.)
* Medium-length films (up to 60 min.)
* Feature-length films (60 to 180 min.)
Experimental and animated films are eligible.
3.2 Non-Competition Programs and Special Screenings
Non-competition programs are formed and curated by the Festival Organizing Committee. The number of such programs each year is determined according to the Festival’s current needs and capabilities.
Films selected for non-competition programs and special screenings are requested by the curator of each program directly from the rights holder. Screening license fees are paid by the Festival on the basis of invoices issued by the rights holder. Fees are negotiated individually and are not fixed.
Each year, the number of invited guests for the non-competition program is determined by the Organizing Committee according to the Festival’s current needs and capabilities.
3.3 Industry Program
The Festival’s industry program consists of round tables, professional intensives, and masterclasses.
Speakers are invited by the Festival. Travel expenses, visa support, and accommodation costs for industry program guests are covered by the Festival.
The possibility of covering travel and accommodation expenses for participants of professional intensives is determined individually by the Organizing Committee according to the Festival’s current needs and capabilities.
4. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
4.1 Submission to the Competition Program
All films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
Submission dates: from May 18, 2026 to July 31, 2026.
For films produced in 2026, rough-cut submissions may be accepted for consideration.
Premiere status is prioritized.
Films must be submitted either through the Festival website or via the FilmFreeway platform. The production date is determined by the copyright year indicated on the submitted film copy.
There is no submission fee for films submitted through the Festival website to:
* the International Competition,
* the North Caucasus National Competition,
* the International Experimental Film Competition “Phantasmes.”
Submission fees through FilmFreeway are:
* €10 (or 1000 RUB) for feature-length films (60–180 min.)
* €5 (or 500 RUB) for short and medium-length films (up to 60 min.)
4.2 Required Submission Materials
* Running time
* Country and year of production
* Premiere status
* Subtitle language
* Logline and synopsis
* Stills and film excerpt
* Viewing or download link
* Director’s biography
* Information about the film crew
4.3 After Selection, the Festival Has the Right To:
* Use excerpts of the film (up to 3 minutes) for promotional purposes related to the film and the Festival.
* Use the film trailer for promotional purposes.
* Use published materials about the film and crew for promotional purposes.
* Screen the film copy no more than two times during the Festival and Festival Echo screenings.
The rights holder guarantees that no third-party claims exist regarding the screening of the film at the Festival.
4.4 Technical Requirements
Screening copies of selected films must be delivered to the Festival Organizing Committee no later than August 28, 2026 via internet file transfer. Only digital formats are accepted. If the screening copy is not received by the deadline, the Festival reserves the right to remove the film from the competition program.
Competition films must be screened in:
* DCP format in the original language, or
* HD high-resolution format (Apple ProRes) in the original language.
Non-competition and special screening films must be screened in:
* DCP format, or
* HD high-resolution format (Apple ProRes) 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.
Removable subtitles (provided as an additional DCP package) are preferred. Burned-in subtitles are acceptable.
Detailed technical specifications will be sent separately to selected participants. Films that do not comply with the technical requirements may not be accepted for screening.
5. SELECTION PROCEDURE
Film selection is carried out by the selection committee under the supervision of the Festival Program Director.
Following the selection process, the Festival administration contacts rights holders using the contact details provided in the submission form.
The Festival does not accept films that:
* are publicly available online,
* or have been broadcast on television.
Films containing:
* calls for violence,
* humiliation of human dignity,
* or promotion of antisocial behavior
are not eligible for participation.
The Festival does not provide written or oral explanations regarding selection decisions.
The Festival does not pay screening fees for competition films.
Selection results will be published on the website alaniafilmfestival.ru no later than August 21, 2026.
6. TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
Digital delivery via the internet is the preferred method for submitting screening copies.
The Festival covers costs related to:
* physical transportation,
* return shipping,
* and storage of film copies.
7. JURY AND AWARDS
7.1 Jury Composition
The international jury consists of Russian film experts and international cinema professionals, excluding individuals directly involved in organizing the Festival.
For the evaluation of competition films, the jury is divided into:
* Jury of the International Competition
* Jury of the North Caucasus National Competition
* Jury of the International Experimental Film Competition
All jury decisions are final and irrevocable.
7.2 Categories and Awards
The jury selects one winner in each of the following categories:
* Best Film of the International Competition
* Best Film of the North Caucasus National Competition
* Best Film of the International Experimental Film Competition
* Special Audience Award
The Festival Organizing Committee reserves the right to increase the number of awards and/or introduce additional prizes without amending the present Regulations.
Awards are presented during the Festival Closing Ceremony.
Winners receive award statuettes and diplomas.
All competition participants receive diplomas.
The monetary value of prizes is determined annually by the Organizing Committee according to the Festival’s capabilities.
8. INVITED GUESTS
The Organizing Committee determines which guests and participants are invited and under what conditions they stay in Vladikavkaz.
Upon request, the Festival assists participants with hotel reservations and transportation arrangements.
Upon request, the Festival issues invitation letters to foreign citizens to support visa applications. Visa fees are not covered.
9. MEDIA ACCREDITATION
The Organizing Committee reviews applications for free accreditation from:
* members of the film community,
* students of creative disciplines,
* and media representatives.
The Festival does not cover travel or accommodation expenses for holders of guest or media accreditation.
To obtain accreditation, applicants must complete the appropriate form on the Festival website by August 31, 2026.
Invited guests receive accreditation granting access to all Festival events without the need to complete the accreditation form.
10. LIABILITY
Applicants guarantee:
* the accuracy of all submitted information,
* compliance with copyright law,
* and the legal clearance of the submitted film.
Films must comply with Russian Federation legislation and must not contain prohibited content.
After participation has been confirmed, a film cannot be withdrawn from the Festival.
Applicants acknowledge that the Festival reserves the right to modify the format of screenings and events due to public health and safety concerns or pursuant to instructions from local, regional, or federal authorities.
11. CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPATION
Participation in the Festival implies full acceptance of these Regulations.
Any disputes shall be resolved in accordance with international film festival practice.
