Important note: Please submit films that are relevant to the concept of Hospitality.

HOSPITALITY as a filmic space (second edition)

Xenia Open Air Film Festival (2nd edition) is an international event that celebrates the concept and practice of Hospitality, which has been an integral part of many cultures since ancient times. Stories about Hospitality often revolve around a mutual exchange between hosts and guests, and globally, this tradition has connected culture and united humans, irrespective of social status, race, or religion. Today, Hospitality seems even more relevant, a beautiful and mutually beneficial exchange that fosters a ripple effect of sharing, support, and inclusion. It is passed down through generations and has been essential to human interaction for centuries. Connecting people from different cultures and backgrounds often forge alliances and meaningful connections that transcend borders. In a world where humans are becoming increasingly isolated, Hospitality may be a practice that can help embrace otherness and celebrate diversity. By warmly welcoming others, we can build a more inclusive and connected society where people from all walks of life feel valued and appreciated.

In noticing ideas and the aesthetics of Hospitality often as a central role in many films, and in seeing that the every day nowadays is frequently understood and experienced cinematic-like, this is an OPEN CALL for artists working with film/video/animation/moving image that centres on works exploring notions of Hospitality and the place, the stage, where Hospitality takes place.

Please be aware that the Xenia Festival is an autonomous festival managed by volunteers. Our intention is to attract people from all walks of life, creating a community that brings together movie fans and supporters, as we think that promoting the work of aspiring filmmakers is a vital way to foster the growth and development of film culture. The vision has always been to offer a platform not only for filmmakers to showcase their work but also to foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for a diverse audience to appreciate.


It has been suggested that a jury will select the winners in various categories starting this year. Even though Xenia sees filmmaking as a collaborative art form rather than a competition, it recognises that awards can be a valuable way to acknowledge and commemorate the hard work and talent of the filmmakers involved in the process.

Award Categories:
Xenia Award
Experimental
Animation
Storytelling and Narrative
Student

We strive to foster a vibrant and progressive film community that connects cinematic narratives from the past, present, and future. This commitment is reflected in all of the awards we give. Our ultimate goal is to make movies accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.

Please make sure that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms as outlined below before submitting your film entry:

All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway.

Films must feature English or Romanian dialogue or be subtitled in Romanian or English.

Film length should not exceed 30 minutes, including opening and closing credits.

The decision of the festival selection committee and guests will be final.

If accepted, filmmakers are encouraged to attend the festival. Unfortunately, at this time, Xenia Film Festival can not provide room, board or travel for filmmakers or compensation of any kind.

All accepted filmmakers who attend in person will be given the opportunity to engage in an audience Q&A during the festival.

All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.

We do not accept partial screeners, trailers, or screener links that require access other than password-protected links.

To help us keep things running smoothly, we kindly ask for a small entrance fee of 5 Euro. Students can get in for just 1 euro. We appreciate your support and understanding that we're unable to waive the fees.

Also, entry fees are non-refundable, and multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted. However, each entry must accompany a separate submission and a separate entry fee.

By submitting a film, filmmakers grant Xenia Festival the right to use film stills, posters, and trailers for promotional purposes in perpetuity.
The festival board will have the right to retain copies of each film, and the material sent as part of our festival library & can be screened for educational, promotional & commercial purposes.

Xenia Festival is committed to protecting the personal information of its participants and will not share personal information with third parties without the explicit consent of the participants.

Note: We retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through email and our online platforms.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thank you for selecting my film THE RETURN! It is a festival with a very interesting concept, congratulations!

    September 2023
  • Best experience , nice festivals , nice team ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    September 2023