Regulations of MIFF Listapad 2025

Regulations

Regulations of MIFF "Listapad" 2025
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Terms and conditions of XXXI Minsk International Film Festival "Listapad"

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. The XXXI Minsk International Film Festival "Listapad" (hereinafter referred to as the film festival) runs from October 31 to November 7, 2025.

The functions of the body responsible for preparing and holding of the film festival are performed by the Republican Unitary Enterprise "Belarusfilm" National Film Studio" (hereinafter referred to as the directorate of the film festival).

2. FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM

2.1. The film festival program includes:

  • - opening and closing ceremonies;
  • - Main Feature Films Competition;
  • - Main Documentary Films Competition;
  • - Main Animation Films Competition;
  • - Children and Youth Films Competition "Listapadzik";
  • - Youth Films Competition "Cinema of the Young";
  • - Short Films Competition;
  • - National Film Schools Competition;
  • - National Competition;
  • - non-competitive events, including: non-competitive film screenings, creative meetings, workshops, concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events;
  • - screenings of films of the film festival and creative meetings with festival participants in the regions of the Republic of Belarus.

2.2. The program may also include other cultural, educational and business events.

3. COMPETITION PROGRAM AND REQUIREMENTS

3.1. The competition program includes:

  • - Main Feature Films Competition;
  • - Main Documentary Films Competition;
  • - Main Animation Films Competition;
  • - Children and Youth Films Competition "Listapadzik";
  • - Youth Films Competition "Cinema of the Young";
  • - Short Films Competition;
  • - National Film Schools Competition;
  • - National Competition;
  • - The Competition Program includes films made in 2024 - 2025 that have not been screened on the territory of the Republic of Belarus on a commercial basis.

3.2. The Main Feature Films Competition Program includes full-length films in feature and mixed formats with a running time of 52 minutes or more.

Minimum 10 films from at least 5 countries of the world take part in the Main Feature Films Competition.

3.3. The Main Documentary Films Competition Program includes fulllength and medium-length films in documentary and mixed formats with a running time of 26 minutes or more.

Minimum 10 films from at least 5 countries of the world take part in the Main Documentary Films Competition.

3.4. The Main Animation Films Competition Program includes films in animated and mixed formats with a running time of 5 minutes or more.

Minimum 10 films from at least 5 countries of the world take part in the Main Animation Films Competition.

3.5. Children and Youth Films Competition Program "Listapadzik" includes films for children and youth in feature, animation and mixed formats with a running time of 52 minutes or more.

Up to 10 works take part in Children and Youth Films Competition program "Listapadzik".

3.6. Youth Films Competition "Cinema of the Young" includes full-length feature films with a running time of 52 minutes or more. The director's age at the time of completion of the film must not exceed 45 years.

Minimum 10 films from at least 5 countries of the world take part in the Youth Films Competition "Cinema of the Young".

3.7. The Short Films Competition includes films in feature form with a running time from 26 to 52 minutes.

Minimum 10 films from at least 5 countries of the world take part in the Short Films Competition.

3.8. The Competition Program "National Film Schools Competition" includes feature and documentary films of any duration, produced in 2024-2025 by persons that at the time of completion of the film were studying at higher education institutions in the field of cinematography.

3.9. National competition.

The Competition Program includes films in feature, documentary and animated formats of any duration, made in 2024-2025 by citizens of the Republic of Belarus, as well as by permanently residing in the Republic of Belarus foreign citizens and stateless persons.

Minimum 15 films take part in the competition.

3.10. The copies of films participating in competition programs of the film festival must be in the original language, with English (if the original language is not English) and Russian (if the original language is not Russian) subtitles.

3.11. Applications for participation in the festival are accepted by the directorate of the film festival starting May 20 to September 1, 2025.

The copies of the films participating in the competition programs of the film festival must be transferred to the directorate of the film festival no later than September 10, 2025.

Films that won or participated in international film festivals in 2024-2025 may also take part in the competition programs of the film festival provided that they meet the requirements set out in paragraphs 3.1-3.9 of these Regulations and are proposed by the specialists responsible for preparation and holding of the film festival’s events (hereinafter referred to as program directors of the film festival) upon the rights holders’ consent.

3.12. The formation of competition programs of the film festival is carried out in two stages:
preliminary selection of films by program directors of the film festival based on the applications submitted, as well as proposals of these directors;
final selection of films by an expert commission created by the Ministry of Culture.

Films that do not meet the requirements set out in paragraphs 3.1-3.9 of these Regulations are rejected without consideration.

The decision to include films in the competition programs of the film festival is made by the directorate of the film festival in agreement with the Ministry of Culture.

The procedure of screening of films included in competition programs is determined by the directorate of the film festival.

3.13. The formation of non-competitive screenings of the film festival is carried out by the directorate of the film festival in agreement with the Ministry of Culture.

3.14. The copies of films accepted for participation in non-competitive screenings of the film festival must be transferred to the directorate of the film festival no later than September 10, 2025.

4. TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

4.1. The participation in the film festival is open for the following categories: film producers, other persons holding exclusive rights on the submitted films, any other persons provided that they confirm settled legal relations with the authors and other rights holders for the intellectual property objects included in the submitted film and provide a copy of the exclusive rights transfer agreement (hereinafter referred to as copyright owners), artists who participated in the film production, members of the film festival jury, media representatives, guests of the film festival invited by the organizers of the film festival, and other persons involved in the organization and holding of the film festival.

4.2. Copyright owners send an application for participation to the directorate of the film festival in accordance with the Appendix 1 to these Regulations before September 1, 2025.

4.3. Submission of a film for selection is free.

4.4. The copyright owner guarantees to the directorate of the film festival that they own the entire scope of the necessary rights:

  • - for public presentation of the film in a competitive or non-competitive screening, including with the participation of representatives of the film crew and cast;
  • - for presenting fragments of the film on television (no more than 3 minutes), on the official website of the film festival, on social networks and in other promotional materials of the film festival;
  • - for the use of all presented film materials in promotional materials of the film festival (catalogues, advertising brochures, on the website, in multimedia presentations, etc.).

4.5. The selection is based on the following criteria:
the relevance and originality of the theme and plot of the film, the convincing and logic way of their embodiment in the script and character dialogues;
the embodiment in the film of traditional spiritual and moral values, humanistic aesthetic ideals;
a high level of skill and innovation in the work of the director, director of photography, production designer, other specialists of the film crew, in the musical and artistic design of the film;
high level of acting skills and psychological persuasiveness of the leading and supporting roles (for feature films).

All other things being equal, preference is given to films that have been awarded at other international festivals and (or) have received high appreciation from leading representatives of world cinematography.

Films that promote war, extremist activities, violence and cruelty, social, national, religious, racial exclusivity, intolerance or hostility, pornography and non-traditional sexual relations, incite crimes, violent acts against people and (or) other living beings, violate the copyright and related rights legislation or other acts of legislation of the Republic of Belarus, are not allowed to participate in the film festival.

4.6. The film festival program is formed by the directorate of the film festival and approved by the organizing committee of the film festival until October 1, 2025.

Demonstration of films and other events of the film festival are carried out by cinematography, culture, education organizations in Minsk, regions, cities and districts of the Republic of Belarus in accordance with the approved program of the film festival.

4.7. The directorate of the film festival has the right to screen each film within the framework of the film festival at least 5 times, including commercial screenings in Minsk and the regions of the Republic of Belarus and screenings for the press.

4.8. The directorate of the film festival officially notifies the authors of films that have successfully passed the selection about the decision made no later than the date of the official press conference of the film festival.

4.9. Issues of invitation, terms and conditions of stay and accreditation of participants at the film festival are determined by the directorate of the film festival.

4.10. Participation of films in competitive screenings of the film festival allows the presence of one or two representatives of the film (director or producer, actor/actress), unless otherwise decided by the directorate of the film festival.

4.11. The directorate of the film festival can cover the costs of round-trip travel, accommodation and meals for up to 3 days for the director or producer, actor/actress presenting the film in the competition program, creative meetings with the audience and press conferences, one or two representatives of the film out-of-competition screening (director or producer, actor/actress), unless otherwise decided by the directorate of the film festival.

4.12. The specific terms and conditions of participants' stay at the festival are determined by the directorate of the film festival.

5. INTERNATIONAL JURY OF THE FILM FESTIVAL

5.1. To evaluate films participating in the competitive screenings of the film festival, seven international juries are created, as well as a children's jury:

  • - international jury of the Main Feature Films Competition (five members);
  • - international jury of the Main Documentary Films Competition (three members);
  • - international jury of the Main Animation Films Competition (three members);
  • - international jury of Children and Youth Films Competition "Listapadzik" (three members);
  • - international jury of the Youth Films Competition "Cinema of the Young" (three members);
  • - international jury of the Short Films Competition (three members);
  • - international jury of the Competition Program "National Film Schools Competition" (three members);
  • - international jury of the Competition Program "National Competition". (three members).

The international jury consists of filmmakers, cultural workers, mass media representatives, the children's jury consists of children and adolescents aged 8-14 years (three members).

Decisions are made by the jury based on the results of viewing of all films included in the competitive screening, by open voting by a simple majority of votes. In controversial situations, the decision voted for by the chairman of the jury is considered accepted.

5.2. Organizational, material and technical support of the work of international juries and children's jury is carried out by the directorate of the film festival.

5.3. The directorate of the film festival bears the expenses of travel to Minsk and back, accommodation and meals for members of the international juries in Minsk during the entire period of their stay at the film festival.

5.4. The competition jury cannot include persons who participated in the creation or distribution of films in the corresponding competition screening.

6. PRIZES

6.1. In the framework of the film festival, the following special prizes are awarded:

6.1.1. special prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus "For the Preservation and Development of Traditions of Spirituality in Cinematography";

Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus "For Humanism and Spirituality in Cinematography".

The awarding and delivery of these prizes are carried out in accordance with the legislation on culture of the Republic of Belarus.

6.1.2. Prizes from the organizers and partners of the film festival:
prize of the Minsk City Executive Committee;
special prize of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States for the development of cultural cooperation and strengthening of friendship between peoples "Cinema without Borders";
prize of the Permanent Committee of the Union State;
prize of the representative office of the Interstate TV and Radio Company "Mir" in the Republic of Belarus "The Language of Cinema is the Language of Friendship";
prize of the association "Belarusian Union of Cinematographers" "For the Best Film";
special prize of the association "Belarusian Union of Cinematographers" named after Evgeny Ignatiev for the best visual solution of the film.

The decision to award these prizes is made by the organizers and partners of the film festival, taking into account the proposals of directorate the film festival.

The organizers and partners of the film festival might as well award other awards.

6.2. The international jury decides on the prizes for competitive screenings of the film festival.

6.2.1. The international jury of the Main Feature Film Competition decides on awarding film festival participants with prizes in the following categories:
Grand-prix "The Gold of Listapad" for the best Feature film";
prize "Mikhail Ptashuk Memorial Award for the Best Director of a Feature Film";
prize "Yuri Marukhin Memorial Award for the Best Camera Operator's work in a Feature Film";
"Special Jury Prize of the Main Feature Film Competition";
prize "The Best Actress in a Feature Film";
prize "The Best Actor in a Feature Film";
prize "The Best Sound (Music) Solution for a Feature Film."

6.2.2. The international jury of the Main Documentary Film Competition decides to award film festival participants in the following categories:
prize "For the best film of the Main Documentary Film Competition";
"Special Jury Prize of Main Documentary Film Competition."

6.2.3. The international jury of the Main Animation Films Competition decides on awarding film festival participants in the following categories:
prize "For Best Film in the Main Animation Films Competition";
"Special Jury Prize for the Main Animation Film Competition."

6.2.4. The international jury of Children and Youth Films Competition "Listapadzik" decides on awarding film festival participants in the following categories:
Grand Prix "The Gold of Listapadzik" for the best film for children and youth;
"Special Jury Prize of the "Listapadzik" Competition";
prize "The Best Child Role in a film for children and youth";
prize "The Best Work of an Adult Actor in a film for children and youth".

6.2.5. Children's jury of Children and Youth Films Competition "Listapadzik" decides on awarding film festival participants in the category "Special Children's Jury Prize "Cinema through the Eyes of Children".

6.2.6. The international jury of the Cinema of the Young Competition decides on awarding film festival participants in the following categories:
"Victor Turov Memorial Award for the best film of the Cinema of the Young Competition";
"Valery Rubinchik Memorial Award for the Best Director's Work of the Cinema of the Young Competition";
"Dmitry Zaitsev Memorial Award for the best Camera Operator's Work of the Cinema of the Young Competition".
"Special prize of the jury of the Cinema of the Young Competition".

6.2.7. International jury of the Short Films Competition decides on awarding film festival participants in the category "The best film in the Short Films Competition".

6.2.8. International jury of the National Film Schools Competition decides on awarding film festival participants in the category "The best film in the National Film Schools Competition".

6.2.9. The international jury of the National Competition decides on awarding film festival participants in the following categories:
"Best Feature Film of the National Competition";
"Best Documentary Film of the National Competition";
"Best Animated Film of the National Competition";
"Special National Competition Jury prize".

6.3. Members of the jury have the right to present special diplomas, which may be supported by sponsorship prizes or awards.

6.4. The decisions of the international jury are final and cannot be revised.

6.5. In the framework of the film festival, audience prizes are awarded:

  • - "Audience Award for the Main Feature Film Competition";
  • - "Audience Award of the Children and Youth Films Competition "Listapadzik".

To determine the winners at the end of screenings of films included in competitive screenings, viewers rate each film on a 5 -point scale using special bulletins issued by the directorate of the film festival. The votes are counted by a commission formed by the directorate of the film festival.

Films with the most points are awarded audience awards.

6.6. The prizes are accompanied by diplomas containing the following information:

  • - prizes for films: title of the film, country (countries) - producer of the film, director of the film (indicating their surname, name and patronymic, if any);
  • - prizes for creative workers: surname, name and patronymic (if any), the film for which the award was received, country (countries) - the film's producer.

6.7. In the framework of the film festival, diplomas from the chairman of the film festival (up to 3 diplomas) are awarded to the authors of films included in the competitive programs of the film festival.

6.8. Production of prizes and diplomas indicated in paragraphs 6.2-6.3, 6.5-6.7 of these regulations, their delivery to the place of award ceremonies, safety during award ceremonies, transfer to awardees in the event that it is impossible for the awardees themselves or persons representing their interests to be present at the award ceremony, is provided by the directorate of the film festival.

6.9. The prize and diploma are awarded to the recipient during the closing ceremonies of the film festival or the competitive screening of the film festival. If it is impossible for them to be personally present at the ceremony, the directorate of the film festival determines other persons to present prizes to them.

7. MASS MEDIA COVERAGE

7.1. To cover the work of the film festival, the media in the period from September 15 to October 15, 2025 send to the directorate of the film festival an application (see Appendix 2) by e-mail.

Accredited media representatives receive a badge established by the directorate of the film festival with the inscription "Press" in Russian and English, which gives the right to participate in press events and attend other events of the film festival.

Organization of interviews with jury members, honored guests, and other festival participants is carried out by the directorate of the film festival, taking into account proposals from accredited media representatives.

7.2. All expenses for the presence of media representatives at the film festival are borne by the sending party.

7.3. The directorate of the film festival, in agreement with the organizers, has the right to invite media representatives from the regions of the Republic of Belarus and foreign countries to participate in the film festival at the expense of free (sponsorship) assistance and other sources not prohibited by law.

8. FINAL PROVISIONS

8.1. Participation in the film festival requires compliance with all points of these Regulations.

The regulations are published on the official websites of the Ministry of Culture and the Republican Unitary Enterprise "Belarusfilm" National Film Studio" in Russian and English.

By decision of the Ministry of Culture, versions in other languages may be published.

In case of any controversial issues regarding the regulations, the text of these regulations in Russian prevails.