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kinosmena.com@gmail.com
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+375 29 6 763 193
The Minsk International Short Film Festival "Kinosmena" is an annual cultural event of the Republic of Belarus. The festival is supported by the Belarusian Union of cinematographers and approved by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus.
The organizers invite film directors and representatives of the films and provide them with free accommodation in a comfortable hotel in Minsk for the duration of the festival.
From several thousands of short films that sent to us from all over the world, 30 best films are selected in the contest program of the festival. The festival is supported by the Belarusian Union of cinematographers and approved by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus.
The festival will present the works of national and foreign filmmakers, selected by the jury as the best, and then together with the audience will choose the winners. There is also a non-contest program of films that are not included in the main contest program, but they are of interest to the audience.
The 5th «Kinosmena 2026» Film Festival will be held in cinemas across Belarus.
Submissions open.
- Grand Prix of the Festival - for the best film based on the jury and.
- Best film based on audience voting.
- Best film based on the jury voting.
- Belarusian film based on the jury voting.
- Belarusian the film based on the audience voting.
The audience vote and the jury consisting of leading national and international cultural figures evaluate the films of the contest program.
- The Festival Grand Prix for Best International Short Film "Kinosmenа" is $1,000 or a top-of-the-line laptop from our partners.
- The best short film "Kinosmenа" as voted by the Jury will be awarded an award and a prize from our partners.
- The best short film "Kinosmena" as voted by the audience will be awarded an award and a prize from our partners.
- The best national short film "Kinosmena" as voted by the Jury and the audience will receive substantial gifts from our partners.
Every year, we select only 30 of the best works from around the world from over 5,000 applications. The selection process is professional and transparent, ensuring a strong and diverse program.
The festival takes place in cinemas across Belarus. We organize screenings that give the films a wide audience and a lively response. We ensure the quality of the screenings and a comfortable atmosphere.
The winner is selected by a professional jury in conjunction with the audience, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of the works. The festival's awards help the authors gain international recognition and new distribution opportunities.
Chairman of the jury
Film actor, theater and film director, screenwriter, film producer, and television host. Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the Special Prize of the Republic of Belarus.
Actor, Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Belarus (2008–2024). Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus. Chairman of the Confederation of Film Unions of the CIS Countries. Leading stage master of the Belarusian State Youth Theater.
Sound engineer, professor of the Department of Cinematography and Sound Engineering of the Faculty of Cinema, Theatre and Television of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts.
A director of photography working at the Belarusfilm studio. He has shot over three hundred documentaries, commercials, and feature films. He has also worked as a director of photography on several feature films.
Founder of the Kinosmena festival
Director, screenwriter, actor, cinematographer, and writer, member of the Belarusian Union of Cinematographers. He is known for his work in film (with over 20 years in the industry) and as the founder and director of the Minsk Film School.
The festival's general producer.
He has produced films that have won awards and prizes at many international festivals.
We review over 5,000 applications and select only the 30 best works from around the world. This guarantees a high-quality and diverse program.
The festival brings together authors and films from across the globe, creating a platform for international dialogue. Audiences gain access to cutting-edge global cinema.
Experienced experts, along with the audience, select the winner, combining expert judgment and audience opinion. This format enhances the award's objectivity and significance.
Screenings take place in cinemas across Belarus, where the films are shown in a familiar environment. The creators receive live audience reactions and professional feedback.
Kinosmena is the 5th international film festival, which annually attracts over 5,000 submissions from around the world. Only 30 of the best works are selected for the program: we focus on quality, originality, and the strength of the author's vision. The festival creates a platform for dialogue between directors, the professional community, and audiences.
We value professionalism, honesty, and openness. Decisions on the winners are made jointly by a professional jury and the audience, allowing us to take into account both expert opinion and public response. It is important to us to maintain a transparent selection process and support filmmakers at various stages of their creative journey.
The festival takes place in cinemas across Belarus and has grown over the years into a significant cultural event, attracting filmmakers and audiences from around the world. Our goal is to develop film culture, help new talent emerge, and create an honest space for the screening of the best short films.
Here are the answers to the four most frequently asked questions about our festival: how to submit a film, which films are eligible, how the selection process works, and where the screenings take place. If you need more information, please feel free to contact us.
Submit your film through the "Submit a Film" page on our website or through the designated submission platform. In your submission, please include a link to your film, a synopsis, full creative and technical details, and contact information.
Please note the deadlines and subtitle requirements—we request a theatrical or screening version with English or Russian subtitles if the film is not in one of these languages.
We accept submissions across various genres, but only feature films. A coherent directorial vision and high-quality execution are key.
Films can be both professional and student productions. The key is to ensure they meet the application requirements and are creatively original.
Every year, our program committee reviews the submitted submissions and selects the 30 best works from around the world to be shown in the main program. We evaluate artistic merit, originality, direction, and technical execution.
During the festival, the winner is selected by a professional jury in conjunction with the audience: competition screenings, screenings, and voting are held, after which the winner is announced.
The festival takes place annually in cinemas across several Belarusian cities. We announce the exact dates and program on our website and social media.
Tickets are available for admission to screenings, sold online and at cinema box offices. Accreditation is available for film industry representatives, the press, and partners; information and accreditation forms are published prior to the festival.
We appreciate your interest in Kinosmena. If you have any questions about the festival, applications, collaboration, or participation, please contact us
kinosmena.com@gmail.com
+375 29 6 763 193
