The Tsiolkovsky International Space Film Festival (Tsiolkovsky ISFF) is held annually in Kaluga. Films and programs about space and its relationship with science, art, and culture take part in the competitive, non-competitive, and retrospective screenings of the Festival.

The purpose of the Tsiolkovsky ISFF is not only to present new films about space, but also to promote all areas of science and art, one way or another related to space, to strengthen the traditions of international dialogue between scientists and filmmakers to solve urgent problems of the development of modern science, culture and new technologies. In addition, the Festival carries an important educational mission on all issues related to the past, present and future of space research and space activities.

Goals and objectives of the Tsiolkovsky ISFF:

• the most complete presentation of the current state of the world cinematography related to space themes;
• demonstration of the best documentaries and feature films about space, created both in Russia and abroad to the audience and the jury members. At retrospectives and special screenings, the audience will have the opportunity to watch the most famous films of domestic and foreign "space" cinema;
• the Tsiolkovsky ISFF may become a platform for live communication of creative people, scientists, as well as an exchange of projects and ready-made ideas in the field of space and "space" cinema;
• maintenance of a steady audience interest in film products related to space themes;
• a meeting of filmmakers with the audience of one of the most intensively developing regions of the country;
• the opportunity for filmmakers not only to effectively communicate with science, but also to transform scientific "space" ideas into something accessible and creative for a wide audience;
• to acquaint scientists with the world of cinema, to realize its creative potential and accessibility.

Tsiolkovsky ISFF SLOGAN: What is impossible today may be possible tomorrow (K.E. Tsiolkovsky, Self-made scientist who became the founder of modern astronautics)

Tsiolkovsky ISFF LOGO: The official logo of the Festival used in the festival symbols and official papers is a drawing by K.E. Tsiolkovsky from the "Album of Space Travel", which he created for the first Soviet science fiction film called "Space Flight."

The JURY of the Tsiolkovsky ISFF includes not only professional filmmakers, but also astronauts, as well as scientists from the space industry.

FEATURE, FEATURE SHORT, DOCUMENTARY, DOCUMENTARY SHORT, ANIMATION AND FULL-DOME FILMS

🏆Grand Prix "Tsiolkovsky"
🏆Grand Prix "Klushantsev" - for the best technical achievements in the film and the best special effects
🏆 Grand Prix "Korolev" - "Best Director"
🏆 Grand Prix "Gagarin"

🏆 Best Feature
🏆 Best Feature Short
🏆 Best Documentary
🏆 Best Documentary Short
🏆 Best Animation
🏆 Best Full-dome

SPECIAL AWARDS
🏆 Festival President Award
🏆 Roscosmos Award
🏆 Governor of the Kaluga Region Award
🏆 Press Community Award

Films are required to be related to space and space issues. Film production completion - no earlier than 2024.
Accepting Feature, Documentaries, Full-dome and Animation films.
Subtitles: English.
After receiving confirmation, you must upload the work through the online platform or provide a downloadable link to the file hosting service, English subtitles, media kit for promotional purposes.

By submitting to the Festival, you agree to the following:
Images from the film can be used in Tsiolkovsky ISFF (Tsiolkovsky International Space Film Festival) publications, the Tsiolkovsky ISFF website and all other media outlets related to Tsiolkovsky ISFF publicity and you indemnify Tsiolkovsky ISFF against any responsibilities incurred by the screening of this film.

Films must be submitted to Tsiolkovsky ISFF by the stated deadline.

Please note that information given on the submission form may be used by Tsiolkovsky ISFF for publications.
Tsiolkovsky ISFF accepts no responsibility if the information provided is inaccurate.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Roman Nina Nina

    Участие в космическом фестивале Циолковского доставило мне огромное удовольствие, и я надеюсь, что наши пути еще пересекутся в будущем. Всего наилучшего!

    April 2026
  • Kishore Inapanuri

    A Journey Beyond Cinema: My Experience at the Festival
    Attending the film festival in Kaluga was, quite simply, a life-changing experience. I arrived as an international filmmaker and left feeling like I was saying goodbye to family.

    Winning the Best Feature Film award was a massive honor and a moment I will cherish forever, but what truly made this trip unforgettable was the warmth and kindness of the people behind the scenes. From the moment I arrived until the second I stepped onto my return flight, I was looked after with such genuine care and professional excellence.

    I want to extend my deepest, most sincere thanks to Olga, Palina, Vova, Liza, Vitaly Vereskun, and Natsya. Having a dedicated translator and a team that treats you like one of their own makes all the difference when you’re far from home. You didn't just host me; you shared your culture and your hearts with me.

    To the entire team: thank you for the memories, the hospitality, and for making my first international award so special. I love you all!

    April 2026
  • Tan Tuncag

    I was very happy to have my animated sci-fi short film April Departing selected for the Tsiolkovsky International Space Film Festival. It was an honor to be included in a festival dedicated to cinema and imagination inspired by space exploration.

    The communication throughout the process was professional and smooth, and I appreciated being part of the official selection alongside many creative works from around the world.

    Although I was not able to attend in person, I was proud to have April Departing represented at the festival and to be part of the experience.

    I would be happy to participate again in the future.

    April 2026
  • MAHALINGAM BABU

    I am not attending physically. The Festival team updated a important updates on website and dedicated telegram links

    April 2026
  • Capucci Junior

    Here’s a more personal and author-driven review, reflecting your participation:

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    Participating in the **Tsiolkovsky Space Fest** with my short film *Seeds of Tomorrow* was not just a professional milestone, but a deeply meaningful artistic experience. The festival, inspired by the legacy of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, goes far beyond a traditional film event—it feels like a meeting point between science, philosophy, and cinematic storytelling.

    As a filmmaker, what struck me most was the quality and intention behind the curation. The films selected are not merely about space as a setting, but about space as an idea—something that challenges our perception of existence, time, and humanity’s future. Being part of this selection with *Seeds of Tomorrow* placed my work in dialogue with creators who are equally driven by purpose and vision.

    The audience is another highlight. There’s a rare sense of engagement—people are genuinely interested, reflective, and open to deeper interpretations. The conversations sparked after screenings felt as important as the films themselves, creating a space where art and science merge into meaningful exchange.

    The organization of the festival is solid, and the atmosphere carries a certain intellectual energy that is hard to find elsewhere. It’s not a superficial celebration of space—it’s a thoughtful exploration of what it means for humanity.

    If I had to point out one challenge, it would be the intensity of the program. There’s so much rich content that it demands full attention, which can be overwhelming at times. But at the same time, that intensity is part of what makes the experience so valuable.

    Overall, being part of the Tsiolkovsky Space Fest with *Seeds of Tomorrow* was an honor. It’s a festival that doesn’t just showcase films—it elevates them, placing each work within a broader conversation about our collective future. An unforgettable experience for any filmmaker seeking depth, meaning, and connection. 🚀

    April 2026