RULES for participation in the DIFF
1. The following are accepted for participation in the DIFF:
– full-length feature films (over 50 min. long)
– short feature films (no more than 50 min. long)
– animated (cartoon) films
– documentaries.
2. To participate in the main nominations of the 2025 DIFF, films must have been produced no earlier than January 1, 2024.
3. Works from any country in the world without restrictions on genre, duration and age of participants are accepted for participation in the 2025 DIFF. Films created in a foreign language must be accompanied by Russian subtitles to participate in the film festival.
4. The film does not have to be a premiere.
5. To participate in the DIFF, a film does not have to have a distribution certificate. However, films that have previously been denied a distribution certificate are not allowed to participate in the DIFF.
6. Films that violate the laws of the Russian Federation are not allowed to participate in the DIFF.
7. Films that contain obscene language are not allowed to participate in the DIFF. If the director believes that it must be left in the film, then it is necessary to impose an “effect” on the word(s) or mute it.
8. Participation of films in the competition program of the 2025 DIFFF is free of charge (without payment of entrance and organizational fees).
9. To participate in the DIFF, you must fill out the application form posted on the website and send it to the email address info@dmkf.ru:
1) a scan of the completed and signed Application (pdf or jpg)
2) an electronic version of the completed Application (Word format).
3) a link to download the film (preferably using Google Disc)
4) a poster for the film;
5) a trailer (teaser) for the film (optional, desirable).
(To avoid technical difficulties, it is advisable to give preference to Google Disc as a tool for transferring heavy files).
10. Submitting an application for participation in the DIFF means that the copyright holders of the film (the author) agree with these Rules for participation in the First Donetsk International Film Festival and transfer a simple (non-exclusive) license for the use of their audiovisual works to the official organizer of the DIFF.
11. Submission of an application for participation in DIFF-2025 requires the consent of the copyright holder (author) to demonstrate his/her work within the framework of DIFF-2025. Films presented in the competition and non-competition programs of the Festival, with the consent of the copyright holders (authors), may participate in post-festival events.
12. The initial selection of films for the festival’s competition program is carried out by the Organizing Committee of the DIFF, guided by the Regulations on the DIFF, the Rules and these Rules.
13. The main criterion for a film’s participation in the festival’s competition program is the compliance of its concept and content with the direction and goals of the DIFF.
14. After applications have been processed, a response about the results of the film’s selection for participation in the festival’s competition program will be sent to the e-mail specified in the application.
15. Participation in the festival’s competition program does not guarantee that the work will be shown in the festival’s cinemas.
16. 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.
17. Copyright holders of participating films may refuse any form of public screening without giving reasons.
18. The evaluation of the festival’s competition works is carried out by an independent jury according to the criteria established by the Regulations on the DIFF.
19. 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.
20. The results are summed up and the finalists are awarded at the closing ceremony of the Festival. The winners of the festival receive memorable prizes, laurels and a festival diploma.
21. The organizer guarantees that a copy of the participating film (either the full version or part of it) will not be transferred to third parties without the consent of the copyright holder and the signing of an agreement. The organizer guarantees that the screening of the full version of the film is only allowed within the framework of the festival. Other materials sent (trailer, poster, etc.). The Organizing Committee of the DIFF has the right to use it for advertising and dissemination of information in accordance with the goals of the festival.
– full-length feature films (over 50 min. long)
– short feature films (no more than 50 min. long)
– animated (cartoon) films
– documentaries.
2. To participate in the main nominations of the 2025 DIFF, films must have been produced no earlier than January 1, 2024.
3. Works from any country in the world without restrictions on genre, duration and age of participants are accepted for participation in the 2025 DIFF. Films created in a foreign language must be accompanied by Russian subtitles to participate in the film festival.
4. The film does not have to be a premiere.
5. To participate in the DIFF, a film does not have to have a distribution certificate. However, films that have previously been denied a distribution certificate are not allowed to participate in the DIFF.
6. Films that violate the laws of the Russian Federation are not allowed to participate in the DIFF.
7. Films that contain obscene language are not allowed to participate in the DIFF. If the director believes that it must be left in the film, then it is necessary to impose an “effect” on the word(s) or mute it.
8. Participation of films in the competition program of the 2025 DIFFF is free of charge (without payment of entrance and organizational fees).
9. To participate in the DIFF, you must fill out the application form posted on the website and send it to the email address info@dmkf.ru:
1) a scan of the completed and signed Application (pdf or jpg)
2) an electronic version of the completed Application (Word format).
3) a link to download the film (preferably using Google Disc)
4) a poster for the film;
5) a trailer (teaser) for the film (optional, desirable).
(To avoid technical difficulties, it is advisable to give preference to Google Disc as a tool for transferring heavy files).
10. Submitting an application for participation in the DIFF means that the copyright holders of the film (the author) agree with these Rules for participation in the First Donetsk International Film Festival and transfer a simple (non-exclusive) license for the use of their audiovisual works to the official organizer of the DIFF.
11. Submission of an application for participation in DIFF-2025 requires the consent of the copyright holder (author) to demonstrate his/her work within the framework of DIFF-2025. Films presented in the competition and non-competition programs of the Festival, with the consent of the copyright holders (authors), may participate in post-festival events.
12. The initial selection of films for the festival’s competition program is carried out by the Organizing Committee of the DIFF, guided by the Regulations on the DIFF, the Rules and these Rules.
13. The main criterion for a film’s participation in the festival’s competition program is the compliance of its concept and content with the direction and goals of the DIFF.
14. After applications have been processed, a response about the results of the film’s selection for participation in the festival’s competition program will be sent to the e-mail specified in the application.
15. Participation in the festival’s competition program does not guarantee that the work will be shown in the festival’s cinemas.
16. 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.
17. Copyright holders of participating films may refuse any form of public screening without giving reasons.
18. The evaluation of the festival’s competition works is carried out by an independent jury according to the criteria established by the Regulations on the DIFF.
19. 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.
20. The results are summed up and the finalists are awarded at the closing ceremony of the Festival. The winners of the festival receive memorable prizes, laurels and a festival diploma.
21. The organizer guarantees that a copy of the participating film (either the full version or part of it) will not be transferred to third parties without the consent of the copyright holder and the signing of an agreement. The organizer guarantees that the screening of the full version of the film is only allowed within the framework of the festival. Other materials sent (trailer, poster, etc.). The Organizing Committee of the DIFF has the right to use it for advertising and dissemination of information in accordance with the goals of the festival.