The festival is held every year in February or March, and the selection for the next festival starts at the end of the previous year. There are two main competition programs – one for international and the other for Russian debuts (and at least one Russian film takes part in the international competition), and some other competitive programs – usually, short film, super short film and films for children and young teenagers. Films applying for the main competition must be the director’s first or second feature-length work, and must not have been previously screened in Russia.

It depends on what you have directed before. If you made short films or documentaries, it will not prevent you from participating in the debut film competition. If you have made one feature film and you want to submit your second one, it is acceptable to enter the international competition. As to the Russian competition program, only a debut feature film can be admitted.

Each year the Spirit of Fire has a new theme. In 2023 the theme was “Indigenous Peoples of the World”. No, this will not be an obstacle. There is no requirement in the competition programs regulations that the film must match the festival theme. This requirement applies only to super short films.

It is advisable if you apply to the international debut film competition, and the film’s original language is other than English. If the film is not subtitled it does not exclude it from selection, but we give priority to films with English subtitles.

We prefer DCP and accept submissions at ugrafest@yandex.ru. Please wait for the submissions call on Spirit of Fire website and read the current regulations. We wish you the best of luck!