First DIFF
OBJECTIVES OF THE DIFFerence:
Support for the creative works of Russian and other countries’ filmmakers, aimed at the revival of universal human values;
Development of international and cross-cultural relationships and connections;
Expansion of the audience of auteur films through online broadcasts, screenings in cinemas and special events at the film festival;
Integration of Donbass region and other newly accepted territories of the Russian Federation into a unified cultural field;
Formation of a creative space for interaction between filmmakers from different countries, with the goal of strengthening peace and cooperation.
Festival Program
The program of the First Donetsk International Film Festival includes online screening of competition entries and screening of the best films, according to the Jury, in cinemas in major cities of the DPR and LPR: Donetsk, Lugansk, Makeevka, Torez, Shakhtyorsk, Khartsyzsk.
The online screening of films included in the competition program is carried out in a protected mode from unauthorized copying of content, participating films are not indexed by Internet search engines, which meets the condition of participation in those film festivals that require the absence of a participating film in the public domain on the Internet.
The cinema halls will show the winners and participating films of the 2025 DIFF, selected by the decision of the DIFF Organizing Committee, taking into account the technical characteristics of the films and agreements with the film festival cinema halls.
Copyright holders of participating films will be notified in advance of all public screenings (online and in festival cinemas) by e-mail specified in the application. Copyright holders of participating films may also refuse any form of public screening without explanation.
The program of festival screenings of participating films shall be published on the DIFF website.
The results will be summed up and the finalists will be awarded at the closing ceremony of the DIFF. The winners will receive a festival award statuette, commemorative prizes, laurels and diplomas. The Organizing Committee and the Jury of the festival reserve the right to establish additional nominations, as well as to award additional awards and prizes.
Films presented in the competition and non-competition programs of the Festival, with the consent of the authors, may participate in post-festival events.
How to Participate
Participation of films in the competition program of the 2025 DIFF in any nominations is free of charge (no entry or organizational fees).
The main critera for participating is the compliance of movie’s concept and content with the direction and goals of the DIFFerence.
To participate in the event, you should send a completed and signed Application form with all the attachments specified in it to the festival’s email (info@dmkf.ru).
For more information and questions, please contact: info@dmkf.ru