FESTIVAL REGULATIONS
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1 The VI International Film Festival of Russia and Neighboring Countries, Lendoc Film Festival (“LEFF”) (hereinafter referred to as the “Festival”) is held on the initiative of the Lendoc Open Film Studio and ANO “Cinema Culture” (hereinafter referred to as the “Organizing Committee”).
1.2 In addition to film screenings, the Festival includes a business program featuring a meeting of heads of film organizations from CIS countries, a pitching session for co-production projects (documentary, fiction, and series), and roundtable discussions with leading representatives of the film industries of neighboring countries. The Festival also includes an interactive educational program organized by the Festival’s partners and organizers, consisting of masterclasses by film industry professionals.
1.3 These Regulations govern the organization and conduct of the Festival and remain valid until its completion. These Regulations may be amended, supplemented, or extended by decision of the Organizing Committee. All changes and additions are published on the Festival website: lefflendoc.ru
2. FESTIVAL OBJECTIVES
2.1 The Festival is held with the aim of supporting and developing interest in the cultural and ethnic richness and diversity of cinema in the regions of Russia and neighboring countries, as well as creating a professional environment for establishing new connections, fostering co-production, and maintaining existing relationships among film industry participants for the subsequent development of joint film projects.
3. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
3.1 The Festival Organizing Committee is formed of representatives of the Lendoc Open Film Studio, ANO “Cinema Culture,” as well as Festival partners invited by decision of the Organizing Committee.
3.2 The Organizing Committee prepares and distributes documentation related to the Festival; develops the Festival program; organizes the Festival within the announced dates; and publishes necessary information online.
3.3 The Organizing Committee may make additions and adjustments to the program in order to improve the quality of the Festival.
3.4 The Organizing Committee reserves the right to use Festival video materials (including trailers of participating films, excerpts up to 5 minutes) and photographs of Festival works for promotional purposes on television, in the press, and online.
3.5 The Organizing Committee undertakes not to use the submitted materials for commercial purposes.
3.6 The Organizing Committee undertakes not to transfer films included in the Festival program to third parties for commercial use, but reserves the right to organize non-commercial screenings within post-Festival events (“Festival Echo”) in St. Petersburg and other cities until November 30, 2026.
3.7 The Organizing Committee has the right to involve partners, media partners, and sponsors in the implementation of the Festival project.
3.8 The Organizing Committee decides on the invitation of guests, as well as the terms and conditions of their stay and accreditation, on an individual basis, and reserves the right to modify the program schedule at its discretion.
4. FORMAT, VENUE AND DATES OF THE FESTIVAL
4.1 Film screenings are held at cinema venues across St. Petersburg.
4.2 The Festival takes place from August 20 to 22, 2026.
4.3 The Festival includes:
5. FESTIVAL JURY
5.1 The professional international Festival Jury is formed by decision of the Organizing Committee and consists of representatives of the arts and the film industry. A single jury composed of no fewer than three members determines the winners of the fiction, documentary, and student competitions.
5.2 Festival Awards.
Based on the jury’s decision, prizes are awarded in the following categories:
5.3 Jury members may not include individuals involved in the production or commercial distribution of films participating in the respective competition.
6. FESTIVAL PROGRAM CURATION AND PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS
6.1 The Festival program is formed by the Selection Committee and the Festival Program Director.
6.2 The main competition program consists of fiction and documentary films completed no earlier than January 1, 2024.
6.3 Priority is given to films with Russian premiere status; however, this is not a mandatory requirement. Special attention is given to co-production films involving several participating countries. Films that have been released theatrically in Russia or made available online or on streaming platforms are not eligible for competition.
6.4 Films selected for the Festival program must comply with the legislation of the Russian Federation and generally accepted moral and ethical standards. Promotion of tobacco, alcohol, drug use, pornography, or other antisocial behavior is not permitted. Dialogue and audio content must not include obscene language.
6.5 Runtime requirements: fiction films from 60 minutes, documentary films from 30 minutes. Student competition films must be from 6 minutes and created by authors aged 16 and older. Eligible films must have been produced between 2024 and 2026.
6.6 Films in the Festival program may be in Russian or include Russian subtitles.
6.7 Participation in the Festival is free of charge.
6.8 The Selection Committee reserves the right not to comment on its decisions. Rough cuts may be submitted for consideration, provided that the film is fully completed by the start of the Festival.
6.9 Authors whose films meet the requirements outlined in clauses 6.1–6.8 may submit their film for consideration by completing an application on the official Festival website by July 15, 2025.
6.10 The Festival will include a co-production pitching session for fiction and documentary feature films and series with high co-production potential among participating countries. Applications for pitching participation will be accepted until July 31, 2026.
6.11 The Organizing Committee reserves the right to invite filmmakers with established festival history to participate.
6.12 The Festival program will be published on the official website no later than August 10, 2026.
6.13 Representatives of films selected for the main competition program will be invited to present their films. Accommodation costs are covered by the host side. Participation in the Lendoc Start student competition is funded by the sending party.
General Director of JSC TPO “SDF”
1.1 The VI International Film Festival of Russia and Neighboring Countries, Lendoc Film Festival (“LEFF”) (hereinafter referred to as the “Festival”) is held on the initiative of the Lendoc Open Film Studio and ANO “Cinema Culture” (hereinafter referred to as the “Organizing Committee”).
1.2 In addition to film screenings, the Festival includes a business program featuring a meeting of heads of film organizations from CIS countries, a pitching session for co-production projects (documentary, fiction, and series), and roundtable discussions with leading representatives of the film industries of neighboring countries. The Festival also includes an interactive educational program organized by the Festival’s partners and organizers, consisting of masterclasses by film industry professionals.
1.3 These Regulations govern the organization and conduct of the Festival and remain valid until its completion. These Regulations may be amended, supplemented, or extended by decision of the Organizing Committee. All changes and additions are published on the Festival website: lefflendoc.ru
2. FESTIVAL OBJECTIVES
2.1 The Festival is held with the aim of supporting and developing interest in the cultural and ethnic richness and diversity of cinema in the regions of Russia and neighboring countries, as well as creating a professional environment for establishing new connections, fostering co-production, and maintaining existing relationships among film industry participants for the subsequent development of joint film projects.
3. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
3.1 The Festival Organizing Committee is formed of representatives of the Lendoc Open Film Studio, ANO “Cinema Culture,” as well as Festival partners invited by decision of the Organizing Committee.
3.2 The Organizing Committee prepares and distributes documentation related to the Festival; develops the Festival program; organizes the Festival within the announced dates; and publishes necessary information online.
3.3 The Organizing Committee may make additions and adjustments to the program in order to improve the quality of the Festival.
3.4 The Organizing Committee reserves the right to use Festival video materials (including trailers of participating films, excerpts up to 5 minutes) and photographs of Festival works for promotional purposes on television, in the press, and online.
3.5 The Organizing Committee undertakes not to use the submitted materials for commercial purposes.
3.6 The Organizing Committee undertakes not to transfer films included in the Festival program to third parties for commercial use, but reserves the right to organize non-commercial screenings within post-Festival events (“Festival Echo”) in St. Petersburg and other cities until November 30, 2026.
3.7 The Organizing Committee has the right to involve partners, media partners, and sponsors in the implementation of the Festival project.
3.8 The Organizing Committee decides on the invitation of guests, as well as the terms and conditions of their stay and accreditation, on an individual basis, and reserves the right to modify the program schedule at its discretion.
4. FORMAT, VENUE AND DATES OF THE FESTIVAL
4.1 Film screenings are held at cinema venues across St. Petersburg.
4.2 The Festival takes place from August 20 to 22, 2026.
4.3 The Festival includes:
- a program of competitive and non-competitive film screenings;
- a series of public events for a wide audience;
- a pitching session for fiction and documentary feature films and series with high co-production potential among the Festival’s participating countries;
- an intensive educational program for pitching participants;
- a business program for heads of film organizations.
5. FESTIVAL JURY
5.1 The professional international Festival Jury is formed by decision of the Organizing Committee and consists of representatives of the arts and the film industry. A single jury composed of no fewer than three members determines the winners of the fiction, documentary, and student competitions.
5.2 Festival Awards.
Based on the jury’s decision, prizes are awarded in the following categories:
- Best Fiction Film;
- Best Documentary Film;
- Best Lendoc Start Film (Student Film);
- Best Co-production Project.
5.3 Jury members may not include individuals involved in the production or commercial distribution of films participating in the respective competition.
6. FESTIVAL PROGRAM CURATION AND PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS
6.1 The Festival program is formed by the Selection Committee and the Festival Program Director.
6.2 The main competition program consists of fiction and documentary films completed no earlier than January 1, 2024.
6.3 Priority is given to films with Russian premiere status; however, this is not a mandatory requirement. Special attention is given to co-production films involving several participating countries. Films that have been released theatrically in Russia or made available online or on streaming platforms are not eligible for competition.
6.4 Films selected for the Festival program must comply with the legislation of the Russian Federation and generally accepted moral and ethical standards. Promotion of tobacco, alcohol, drug use, pornography, or other antisocial behavior is not permitted. Dialogue and audio content must not include obscene language.
6.5 Runtime requirements: fiction films from 60 minutes, documentary films from 30 minutes. Student competition films must be from 6 minutes and created by authors aged 16 and older. Eligible films must have been produced between 2024 and 2026.
6.6 Films in the Festival program may be in Russian or include Russian subtitles.
6.7 Participation in the Festival is free of charge.
6.8 The Selection Committee reserves the right not to comment on its decisions. Rough cuts may be submitted for consideration, provided that the film is fully completed by the start of the Festival.
6.9 Authors whose films meet the requirements outlined in clauses 6.1–6.8 may submit their film for consideration by completing an application on the official Festival website by July 15, 2025.
6.10 The Festival will include a co-production pitching session for fiction and documentary feature films and series with high co-production potential among participating countries. Applications for pitching participation will be accepted until July 31, 2026.
6.11 The Organizing Committee reserves the right to invite filmmakers with established festival history to participate.
6.12 The Festival program will be published on the official website no later than August 10, 2026.
6.13 Representatives of films selected for the main competition program will be invited to present their films. Accommodation costs are covered by the host side. Participation in the Lendoc Start student competition is funded by the sending party.
General Director of JSC TPO “SDF”
A.N. Telnov
© 2026 Lendoc Film Festival
QUESTIONS FROM PARTICIPANTS
leff@lendoc.ru
MEDIA COOPERATION AND PRESS ACCREDITATION
pr_leff@lendoc.ru