Welcome to ARCTIC OPEN International Film Festival!
Now heading into our eighth season, we are happy to open the Fest for submissions.

ARCTIC OPEN IFF is hosted in Arkhangelsk, Russia and is looking to showcase the feature films, shorts and documentaries released in 2023-2024 and dedicated to the life and culture of northern communities, indigenous peoples, fragile Arctic nature, or challenges faced in today’s world - the sort of films that tell a story and would make people think. Or laugh, or cry, shock or surprise.

ARCTIC OPEN screens local and international professional or first-time filmmakers, celebrating the best in the Arctic-related filmmaking from across the globe. All submissions and participation are free of charge.

Spread over 4 days in December, this year's festival features 15 screening venues in six municipalities of Arkhangelsk and not only, networking events, Festival Films Night, ARCTIC OPEN-Children, Film School “North”, FILMOptics: Screenwriting workshop, FILMArt: motion designers and cartoonists lab, FILMQuest: public IT quest “Make Your Movie!", FILMChance: Russian Arctic animated film idea pitching, FILMEthno: Alex Rostotsky’s Jazz Bass Theater project, FILMExpo: “Mosfilm’s 100th Anniversary” talk on the history of costume, VR CINEMA – Mini Web Series “Tolstoy & Turgenev”, meet-the-artist sessions, and more.

With 15 nominations within 4 categories, ARCTIC OPEN aims to:
- select and promote the best films made in 2023-2024 domestically and globally;
- provide filmmakers with the opportunity to interact with audiences at Q&A sessions, screenings, and social events;
- provide networking opportunities to film community members;
- provide training opportunities to ealry-career filmmakers;
- give filmmakers and production teams a chance to travel to a destination known for its Northern Russian hospitality, which once was Russia’s first and only gateway to Europe.

The films accepted in our official selection and non-competition program will be shown as part of our events and campaigns into 2025, including venues in Saint-Petersburg, Moscow, and the Komi city of Syktyvkar. We offer publicity across a wide range of regional and federal media (print and social).

The winning films will be awarded with ARCTIC OPEN statuettes, special prizes, certificates and valuable presents.

Official selection:
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Children’s and Youth Film
Best Feature Film Director
Best Feature Film Scriptwriter
Best Feature Film Camerawork
Best Short Film Director
Best Short Film Scriptwriter
Best Short Film Camerawork
Best Documentary Director
Best Documentary Camerawork
Best Documentary Script
Best Children’s Film Director
Best Child Actor

Special prizes from sponsors
Special Jury Mention
Award for Special Contribution to Russian Filmmaking

Hosted by the city of Arkhangelsk, ARCTIC OPEN is an extended, competitive presentation of films shortlisted by its selection panel.

We welcome feature length films, shorts and documentaries released in 2023-2024. Submit your film as an AVI or MPEG file to arctic.kinofest@gmail.com; the selected films will need to be re-submitted as DCP.

All submissions are free of charge, as is participation.

All Russian films submitted for preview must have English subtitles, and all international releases must have Russian ones.

The body responsible for shortlisting the submissions for the Official Selection is the Selection Panel. The Selection Panel reserves the right to withhold comments or explanations as to reasons for rejection.

It is a requirement that every film included in our official selection has a representative present at the festival eventsl.

ARCTIC OPEN undertakes to cover its participants’ accommodation and catering expenses throughout the duration of the official showings and cultural programs.

The winning films will be awarded ARCTIC OPEN statuettes, special prizes, certificates, and valuable presents.

Participation in ARCTIC OPEN International Film Festival implies acceptance of its regulations.

For full Regulations please go to http://fbereginya.com/en/festival-arctic/reglament/

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • PRAVEEN KUMAR NAGENDRAN

    The ARCTIC OPEN International Film Festival is more than just a cinematic event—it’s a celebration of art, humanity, and cultural connection. My experience there, with my short film BLUE, was nothing short of extraordinary.

    The festival’s impeccable organization and thoughtful programming demonstrated a level of care and professionalism rarely seen. From the seamless scheduling to the warm hospitality extended to every guest, the dedication of the ARCTIC OPEN team was truly inspiring.

    The people of Arkhangelsk were the soul of this festival. Their heartfelt appreciation for my film and genuine curiosity created an atmosphere of warmth and encouragement. It was humbling to witness the universal language of cinema bring us together.

    Over four days, I not only shared my work but also found myself enriched by the incredible films, discussions, and the beauty of Arkhangelsk itself. This was more than a professional milestone—it was a deeply personal journey.

    To the ARCTIC OPEN team: thank you for creating an unforgettable experience. Your festival is a shining example of the transformative power of cinema, and I am proud to have been part of it.

    December 2024
  • Song Jie Ying

    A fantastic film festival, the organizers are very enthusiastic and friendly, and there are many media resources reporting on the festival. You guys are great!

    September 2024
  • Ali Tehrani

    I was very happy to be invited to your festival. Thank you very much for your hospitality. I made good friends and I am grateful to the jury committee for the special award (honorary diploma) of the festival. I wish the best for the organizers of the festival.

    December 2023
  • Päivi Kapiainen-Heiskanen

    Thank you so much for screening my doc film The Reindeer belong to the Wind in non-competitive selection. It was a pleasure to communicate with the festival audience via zoom and hear comments about the film from you and the Canadian ambassador to Russia Alison LeClaire. What a valuable experience. I would love to visit your festival in near future when the current global pandemic is just a memory.

    December 2021
  • Nikolaos Falcone Georgiadis

    Great Festival with big passion in the filmworld and good active comunication with the filmmakers. Nice organised and with proffesional touch. Bravo!

    December 2021