First International Festival of Authentic Cinema “Alania” Opens Call for Entries

From September 26 to 28, 2025, the city of Vladikavkaz will host the debut edition of the International Festival of Authentic Cinema “Alania.”

 

The event is organized by the North Ossetian branch of the Russian Folklore Union and students of the “Seance” School founded by Lyubov Arkus — film scholar, director, founder of Seance magazine, and creator of the “Anton’s Right Here” foundation.

 

The festival jury will be chaired by director Aslan Galazov, known for his films The Swallows Have Arrived, Chico’s Childhood, and Armen Dzhigarkhanyan. The festival focuses on films that reflect the spirit of the times, national history, and culture.

 

The competition will feature feature-length and short live-action and documentary films produced no earlier than January 1, 2023.

Submissions from Russian and international filmmakers are open until August 25 via alaniafilmfestival.ru and the FilmFreeway platform.

 

Festival director Tamara Sokurova notes that “Alania” will become a space for open dialogue between creators and audiences, with screenings held at iconic Vladikavkaz venues — the historic “Pathé” cinema, one of Russia’s first movie theaters (opened in 1907), and Kosta Khetagurov Park, the oldest park in the Caucasus.

 

The jury will select winners in four categories: Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Directing, and Best Artistic Concept. The shortlist will be announced on September 10, and the awards ceremony will take place on the closing day, September 28.

 

In addition to the competition, the program will include creative meetings with directors and film critics, master classes, a book fair, an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Alan Kalmanov, non-competition screenings of feature and animated films, as well as special events for children and families.

 

The festival is supported by the administration of Vladikavkaz, Seance publishing house, the animation studio “Melnitsa,” and the SHAR School-Studio.