Director and producer Fyodor Bondarchuk chaired the Board of Trustees of the Koroche festival this year. He and a growing circle of industry leaders lend their experience to Kaliningrad’s biennial showcase, shaping a venue that balances emerging voices with established standards. The festival’s governance underscores a commitment to nurturing fresh storytelling while maintaining rigorous artistic evaluation, a model that resonates with filmmakers across the region and beyond.
XI Russian review of short films and debut films “Koroche” will be held in Kaliningrad from August 15-20. The city becomes a vibrant hub for cinematic voices during this period, offering screenings, panel discussions, and opportunities to network with peers from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and international guests who travel to witness the evolving landscape of contemporary Russian cinema. This year’s edition emphasizes accessibility for new filmmakers and a curated selection that highlights diverse styles and narratives.
The acceptance of applications for participation in the festival on the official website of the review will last until 1 July. The submission window is a critical moment for aspiring directors, scriptwriters, and producers to present their work to a panel known for thoughtful curation. The festival team encourages applicants to submit Russian-language projects that meet the program’s criteria, aiming to discover distinctive voices and compelling stories that can travel to audiences far beyond Kaliningrad.
Also this year, the show announced a novelty – now the festival will have a program of first feature films. This enhancement opens a doorway for debut filmmakers to showcase their first long-form projects alongside established shorts, providing a broader platform for storytelling and a clearer path to broader distribution, festival premieres, and industry attention.
Fyodor Bondarchuk said that expanding the festival program would only benefit him. He noted that broadening the scope creates more alignment between emerging writers and producers with the opportunities that the festival can create, fostering collaborations that can propel careers and spark fresh collaborations across the industry. His remarks reflect a longer trend in which festivals serve as springboards for new talent and as influential meeting grounds for decision-makers in film markets.
“I’m glad that the Koroche festival is expanding opportunities for novice writers, as the support of first-time performers is so important. This review has long been a draw for producers and industry representatives, we know many success stories about this festival. And I’m sure the feature release program will open the doors to even more talented creative writers for us.”
The first independent directorial work of at least 60 minutes, shot in Russian in the years 2022-2023, is accepted for participation in the feature section. Film critic, producer and film expert Sitora Aliyeva became the program director of the new episode, bringing a keen eye for narrative arc, pacing, and the nuanced dynamics that distinguish first features. Her leadership signals a thoughtful approach to pairing debuts with robust support and insightful feedback, helping new directors refine their craft and reach audiences with confidence.
Fiction and animation films shot in Russian, with a duration of 3 to 24 minutes, are accepted for the short film competition. The short-form category continues to be a testing ground for inventive storytelling, where bold concepts and precise execution can leave a lasting impression in a compact running time. The festival’s programming team aims to balance playful experimentation with resonant themes that speak to contemporary life, culture, and imagination.
We wrote about the ten best movies of the show last year Here.