RULES AND REGULATIONS
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. GENERAL PROVISIONSThe VGIK International Student Festival (hereinafter referred to as the Festival) is held annually. The main events of the Festival take place at VGIK and in cinemas in Moscow, as well as in more than 35 cities across Russia. The Festival consists of three competitive programmes:
- The first stage of the VGIK International Student Festival
- The second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival
- International theatre competition
The Festival also includes technical presentations, retrospective screenings, creative meetings, master classes, special screenings of new Russian films and film festival winners, exhibitions, press conferences, round tables and a screenwriting competition. The events and screenings within the framework of the Festival are held in Russian and English.
1.1. ORGANISERS
The founder of the Festival is the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Russian State University of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov (hereinafter referred to as VGIK). The Festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, the Government of Moscow and the Ministries of Culture of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
1.2. ORGANISING COMMITTEE
The Festival Organising Committee is appointed by order of the Rector of VGIK or the person acting on his behalf. The President of the Festival is the Rector of VGIK. The Student Organising Committee of the Festival is formed by the Organising Committee in consultation with the deans of the VGIK faculties.
1.3. FESTIVAL OBJECTIVES
- The Festival is part of the educational process and contributes to a deeper acquaintance with student films from Russia and other countries, as well as the exchange of experience in creative education;
- Demonstration and evaluation of the creative achievements of VGIK students and students of Russian and foreign film, television and theatre schools;
- Screening and free discussion of the results of the work of creative workshops for the period from 30 June 2025 to 30 June 2026;
- Strengthening international ties, expanding creative and professional contacts, exchange of experience and ideas between creative workshops, film schools, and students from Russia and other countries;
- Drawing public attention to the work of the younger generation — future film and television professionals. Introducing the work of VGIK students to audiences in the regions of Russia;
- Supporting young cinema and establishing its high socio-cultural status. Identifying and supporting the most talented and promising students, directors and teachers;
- Expanding the domestic audience;
- Expanding opportunities for business cooperation between VGIK and foreign film and theatre institutions of higher education.
- Disseminating and strengthening the cultural code of VGIK and the best practices of domestic cinematography.
1.4. JURY
Student works participating in the Festival competitions are evaluated by professional and student juries formed by the Festival Organising Committee. For each stage of the Festival, a professional jury consisting of leading figures in culture and the arts is formed. The Festival Organising Committee covers the accommodation expenses of each member of the jury, their travel to and from the festival (including transfers in Moscow), as well as the costs of visa invitations and consular fees. The student jury is formed by the Organising Committee from among students of VGIK and students of other creative universities in Russia for the entire duration of the Festival. The number of jury members is determined by the Organising Committee.
1.5. PRIZES
1.5.1. First stage prizes
Based on the results of the first stage of the competition, the professional jury will award prizes in the following categories:
- Grand Prix
- Best Director in a Feature Film
- Best Director in a Non-Fiction Film
- Best Television Director
- Best Director in Animation
- Best Director in Multimedia
- Best Female Role
- Best Male Role
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography in a Feature Film
- Best Cinematography in a Non-Fiction Film
- Best Sound
- Best Production Design
- Best Costume Design
- Best Producer and Film Process Organiser
- PRIZE OF THE GUILD OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS NAMED AFTER V.I. YUSOV
- SPECIAL PRIZE NAMED AFTER V.YA. BAKHMUTSKY IN SEARCH OF THE LOST...
- SPECIAL PRIZE NAMED AFTER YU.A. MIKHAILOV — PRIZE FOR BEST SOUND
- SPECIAL PRIZE FOR THE SEARCH (AND DISCOVERY) OF MEANS OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IN CINEMATIC LANGUAGE NAMED AFTER S.V. LAZARUK
- SPECIAL PRIZE OF THE PRODUCING FACULTY NAMED AFTER B.N. KONOPLYOV
- SPECIAL PRIZE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FILM DRAMATURGY NAMED AFTER YU.N. ARABOV
- FOR THE DISCOVERY OF NEW HORIZONS IN DIGITAL ART. DIPLOMA NAMED AFTER VLADIMIR KOBRIN
- Grand Prix
- Prize for the best film programme
- Prize for the best feature film
- Prize for the best documentary film
- Prize for the best animated film
- Prize for the best multimedia project
- Student Jury Prize for the best film of the second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival
Based on the results of a survey of viewers in the regions, the following prize is awarded:
- Audience Award for the best film of the VGIK International Student Festival
As part of the second stage of the Festival, a special award, Recognition of Generations, is presented to distinguished filmmakers.
1.5.2. Prizes of the International Theatre Competition
Based on the results of the International Theatre Competition, the professional jury awards:
- Grand Prix of the theatre competition
- Prize for Best Actress
- Prize for Best Actor
- Special Jury Prize
- The S.A. Gerasimov and T.F. Makarova Prize for Best Actress (Actor) — awarded to students of the VGIK Acting Department
- Special Prize of the Russian Film Actors Guild Creative Perspective — awarded to students of the acting faculty of VGIK
Based on the results of a survey of audience members — guests and participants of the Festival — the following prizes are awarded:
- Prize for the best acting ensemble
1.6. CONTACT INFORMATION
The founder of the Festival is the S.A. Gerasimov All-Russian State University of Cinematography, located at 3 Wilhelm Pieck Street, Moscow, 129226, Russia.
Student works participating in the Festival competitions are evaluated by professional and student juries formed by the Festival Organising Committee. For each stage of the Festival, a professional jury consisting of leading figures in culture and the arts is formed. The Festival Organising Committee covers the accommodation expenses of each member of the jury, their travel to and from the festival (including transfers in Moscow), as well as the costs of visa invitations and consular fees. The student jury is formed by the Organising Committee from among students of VGIK and students of other creative universities in Russia for the entire duration of the Festival. The number of jury members is determined by the Organising Committee.
1.5. PRIZES
1.5.1. First stage prizes
Based on the results of the first stage of the competition, the professional jury will award prizes in the following categories:
- Grand Prix
- Best Director in a Feature Film
- Best Director in a Non-Fiction Film
- Best Television Director
- Best Director in Animation
- Best Director in Multimedia
- Best Female Role
- Best Male Role
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography in a Feature Film
- Best Cinematography in a Non-Fiction Film
- Best Sound
- Best Production Design
- Best Costume Design
- Best Producer and Film Process Organiser
- PRIZE OF THE GUILD OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS NAMED AFTER V.I. YUSOV
- SPECIAL PRIZE NAMED AFTER V.YA. BAKHMUTSKY IN SEARCH OF THE LOST...
- SPECIAL PRIZE NAMED AFTER YU.A. MIKHAILOV — PRIZE FOR BEST SOUND
- SPECIAL PRIZE FOR THE SEARCH (AND DISCOVERY) OF MEANS OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IN CINEMATIC LANGUAGE NAMED AFTER S.V. LAZARUK
- SPECIAL PRIZE OF THE PRODUCING FACULTY NAMED AFTER B.N. KONOPLYOV
- SPECIAL PRIZE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FILM DRAMATURGY NAMED AFTER YU.N. ARABOV
- FOR THE DISCOVERY OF NEW HORIZONS IN DIGITAL ART. DIPLOMA NAMED AFTER VLADIMIR KOBRIN
- Grand Prix
- Prize for the best film programme
- Prize for the best feature film
- Prize for the best documentary film
- Prize for the best animated film
- Prize for the best multimedia project
- Student Jury Prize for the best film of the second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival
Based on the results of a survey of viewers in the regions, the following prize is awarded:
- Audience Award for the best film of the VGIK International Student Festival
As part of the second stage of the Festival, a special award, Recognition of Generations, is presented to distinguished filmmakers.
1.5.2. Prizes of the International Theatre Competition
Based on the results of the International Theatre Competition, the professional jury awards:
- Grand Prix of the theatre competition
- Prize for Best Actress
- Prize for Best Actor
- Special Jury Prize
- The S.A. Gerasimov and T.F. Makarova Prize for Best Actress (Actor) — awarded to students of the VGIK Acting Department
- Special Prize of the Russian Film Actors Guild Creative Perspective — awarded to students of the acting faculty of VGIK
Based on the results of a survey of audience members — guests and participants of the Festival — the following prizes are awarded:
- Prize for the best acting ensemble
1.6. CONTACT INFORMATION
The founder of the Festival is the S.A. Gerasimov All-Russian State University of Cinematography, located at 3 Wilhelm Pieck Street, Moscow, 129226, Russia.
2. FIRST STAGE OF THE VGIK INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FESTIVAL
2.1. PROGRAMME
- Competition screenings of graduation films.
2.2. DATES OF THE EVENT
The first stage of the Festival will take place from 15 to 26 June 2026.
15–26 June 2026 — screening of the competition programme for members of the professional jury, summing up the results of the first stage of the Festival and awarding the winners.
2.3. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SELECTION OF THE COMPETITION PROGRAMME
The competition programme of the first stage of the Festival is formed from graduation films of the following departments and divisions of VGIK for the 2025/26 academic year:
- Departments of Feature Film Directing, Television Film Directing, Non-Fiction Film Directing, Multimedia Directing, Animation and Computer Graphics Directing;
- Higher Courses of VGIK, programmes in Feature Film and Television Film Directing, Non-Fiction Film Directing;
- Rostov, Sergiev Posad, Irkutsk, Tashkent branches of VGIK, programmes in Feature Film and Television Film Directing, Non-Fiction Film Directing.
Films that receive the Grand Prix and prizes for best direction in feature, non-fiction, animated films, multimedia and television projects, by decision of the Festival Organising Committee, may represent VGIK at the second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival.
2.4. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE COMPETITION
To participate in the first stage of the Festival, a student submits an application. The complete application package for participation in the first stage of the Festival must be submitted to the Festival Organising Committee by 23:00 on 22 May 2026. Applications submitted later will not be accepted. Applications are submitted electronically on the official Festival website www.vgikfestival.com.
The electronic application package consists of:
- an electronic application form;
- a digital film file;
- a photograph of the director (and another team representative, if an application for participation has been submitted from their faculty);
- stills from the film.
All documents are filled out and uploaded on the official Festival website. Sending an application signifies consent to participate in the first stage of the Festival.
3. SECOND STAGE OF THE VGIK INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FESTIVAL
3.1. PROGRAMME
- Competition screenings of films;
- Non-competition screenings (premieres, retrospectives, special programmes);
- Press conferences, round tables, master classes;
- Scientific and practical conferences;
- Special events;
- Concert and entertainment events.
3.2. DATES OF THE EVENT
The second stage of the Festival will take place from 16 to 20 November 2026.
3.3. TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
Films created in state educational institutions of higher education that train personnel for film and television, implementing higher education programmes, are admitted to participate in the second stage of the Festival. If there are no state institutions training personnel for film and television in the participant's country of residence, films created in private educational institutions are admitted to participate.
- Feature, documentary, animated and multimedia films created between 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026 are admitted to the competition.
- Pre-selection of films sent for participation in the competition is carried out by film schools independently according to the rules established therein.
- The duration of the selected programme of films submitted by each film school to the competition must not exceed 1 hour.
- The total duration of the programme of the second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival must not exceed 12 hours.
- Films that did not make it into the competition may be presented in other special film programmes.
- The selection of films is carried out by a selection committee appointed by the Festival Organising Committee.
- The selection committee decides on the admission of a film to the competition programme within a period up to 30 September 2026.
The complete application package for participation in the second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival must be submitted to the Festival Organising Committee no later than 14 September 2026. Applications submitted later will not be accepted. Applications are submitted electronically on the official Festival website www.vgikfestival.com until 23:00 Moscow time on 14 September 2026.
The application package consists of:
- an electronic application form;
- a viewing copy of the film with English subtitles (file size no more than 3 GB);
- a photograph of the director;
- stills from the film (3 pcs.);
- a trailer/fragment of the film with a duration of no more than 30 seconds;
- a version of the film with English subtitles (if available);
- dialogue lists of the film.
Applications submitted after the established deadline will not be considered. Sending film materials intended for screening in the competition is carried out at the participant's expense. Return of DVD discs with films is not provided.
3.5. PROVISION OF MASTER COPIES FOR SCREENING
At the participant's request, the viewing copy of the film may be used for screening the film at the festival as a master copy of the film. If the participant intends to screen their film at the festival in a different format/quality, master copies of the films must be transferred to the Festival Organising Committee no later than 5 October 2026.
Master copies of films for screening at the festival are provided as a digital file (technical requirements — compression type H.264, any formats except *.wmv and *.mov), or on DCP.
3.6. TRANSPORTATION AND INSURANCE OF MASTER COPIES
Sending the master copy of the film is carried out at the participant's expense. Return of master copies of films to participants is carried out at VGIK's expense. Insurance of the master copy of the film on the territory of Moscow is undertaken by VGIK in the presence of special requests.
3.7. PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS
The Festival Organising Committee invites one representative — the author of the film — from each school, for whom accommodation and three meals a day are organised at the Festival's expense for the duration of the Festival from 15 to 21 November 2026 (taking into account the days of arrival and departure of participants). Additional days of accommodation beyond the established Festival dates are not paid for by the Organising Committee. The Festival Organising Committee provides meals and accommodation for non-resident and foreign participants according to approved lists. The Festival Organising Committee does not bear the costs of travel for participants and guests of the Festival. The Festival Organising Committee does not pay for accommodation and meals for additional school representatives. The deadline for submitting applications from Festival participants for accommodation is no later than 9 October 2026. The deadline for providing exact dates of stay is no later than 9 October 2026.
3.8. VISA PROCESSING
The participant must obtain an electronic visa (e-visa). The Festival Organising Committee assists in the preparation of necessary documents, including an invitation to the country. The participant bears the costs of the consular fee independently. For timely receipt of a Russian visa by foreign participants of the Festival, such a participant must send by e-mail to the Festival Organising Committee a completed Stay in Russia form and a scanned first page of the participant's foreign passport by a deadline no later than 5 October 2026 — with information about the participant's place of residence and the city where the visa will be obtained.
3.1. PROGRAMME
- Competition screenings of films;
- Non-competition screenings (premieres, retrospectives, special programmes);
- Press conferences, round tables, master classes;
- Scientific and practical conferences;
- Special events;
- Concert and entertainment events.
3.2. DATES OF THE EVENT
The second stage of the Festival will take place from 16 to 20 November 2026.
3.3. TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
Films created in state educational institutions of higher education that train personnel for film and television, implementing higher education programmes, are admitted to participate in the second stage of the Festival. If there are no state institutions training personnel for film and television in the participant's country of residence, films created in private educational institutions are admitted to participate.
- Feature, documentary, animated and multimedia films created between 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026 are admitted to the competition.
- Pre-selection of films sent for participation in the competition is carried out by film schools independently according to the rules established therein.
- The duration of the selected programme of films submitted by each film school to the competition must not exceed 1 hour.
- The total duration of the programme of the second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival must not exceed 12 hours.
- Films that did not make it into the competition may be presented in other special film programmes.
- The selection of films is carried out by a selection committee appointed by the Festival Organising Committee.
- The selection committee decides on the admission of a film to the competition programme within a period up to 30 September 2026.
The complete application package for participation in the second stage of the VGIK International Student Festival must be submitted to the Festival Organising Committee no later than 14 September 2026. Applications submitted later will not be accepted. Applications are submitted electronically on the official Festival website www.vgikfestival.com until 23:00 Moscow time on 14 September 2026.
The application package consists of:
- an electronic application form;
- a viewing copy of the film with English subtitles (file size no more than 3 GB);
- a photograph of the director;
- stills from the film (3 pcs.);
- a trailer/fragment of the film with a duration of no more than 30 seconds;
- a version of the film with English subtitles (if available);
- dialogue lists of the film.
Applications submitted after the established deadline will not be considered. Sending film materials intended for screening in the competition is carried out at the participant's expense. Return of DVD discs with films is not provided.
3.5. PROVISION OF MASTER COPIES FOR SCREENING
At the participant's request, the viewing copy of the film may be used for screening the film at the festival as a master copy of the film. If the participant intends to screen their film at the festival in a different format/quality, master copies of the films must be transferred to the Festival Organising Committee no later than 5 October 2026.
Master copies of films for screening at the festival are provided as a digital file (technical requirements — compression type H.264, any formats except *.wmv and *.mov), or on DCP.
3.6. TRANSPORTATION AND INSURANCE OF MASTER COPIES
Sending the master copy of the film is carried out at the participant's expense. Return of master copies of films to participants is carried out at VGIK's expense. Insurance of the master copy of the film on the territory of Moscow is undertaken by VGIK in the presence of special requests.
3.7. PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS
The Festival Organising Committee invites one representative — the author of the film — from each school, for whom accommodation and three meals a day are organised at the Festival's expense for the duration of the Festival from 15 to 21 November 2026 (taking into account the days of arrival and departure of participants). Additional days of accommodation beyond the established Festival dates are not paid for by the Organising Committee. The Festival Organising Committee provides meals and accommodation for non-resident and foreign participants according to approved lists. The Festival Organising Committee does not bear the costs of travel for participants and guests of the Festival. The Festival Organising Committee does not pay for accommodation and meals for additional school representatives. The deadline for submitting applications from Festival participants for accommodation is no later than 9 October 2026. The deadline for providing exact dates of stay is no later than 9 October 2026.
3.8. VISA PROCESSING
The participant must obtain an electronic visa (e-visa). The Festival Organising Committee assists in the preparation of necessary documents, including an invitation to the country. The participant bears the costs of the consular fee independently. For timely receipt of a Russian visa by foreign participants of the Festival, such a participant must send by e-mail to the Festival Organising Committee a completed Stay in Russia form and a scanned first page of the participant's foreign passport by a deadline no later than 5 October 2026 — with information about the participant's place of residence and the city where the visa will be obtained.
4. INTERNATIONAL THEATRE COMPETITION
4.1. PROGRAMME
- International competition of graduation performances by Russian and foreign film and theatre universities;
- Non-competition screenings of graduation performances by Russian and foreign film and theatre universities;
- Master classes by leading figures of film and theatre from Russia and abroad.
4.2. DATES OF THE EVENT
The International Theatre Competition will take place from 16 to 20 November 2026.
4.3. TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
Graduation dramatic performances created by students and teachers of full-time graduating courses of Russian and foreign higher educational institutions providing professional training for film, theatre and television specialists are admitted to the competition. Only one performance from each invited Russian and foreign school is admitted to the competition. Performances participating in the competition may be performed in the language of the participating school's country. Stage sets must be mobile. VGIK does not build, transport, insure or handle stage sets, and does not provide props. Competition and non-competition programmes are formed by the Festival Organising Committee, guided by the objectives, these regulations and the theme of the Festival. The Organising Committee reserves the right to reasonably refuse a school participation in the festival.
4.4. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE COMPETITION
The complete application package for participation in the International Theatre Competition must be submitted to the Festival Organising Committee no later than 16 September 2026. Applications submitted later will not be accepted.
The application package for participation in the competition includes:
- A completed application form signed by an official representative of the school (rector, dean, artistic director) — submitted to the Festival Organising Committee by e-mail at theatredep@vgikfestival.com, as well as in the original version;
- A recording of the performance — submitted either as a DVD disc to the Festival Organising Committee at the address: 129226, Russia, Moscow, 3 Wilhelm Pieck Street, marked 22nd International Theatre Competition, or by e-mail a link to a video hosting/file sharing service with the recording of the performance;
- 3 photographs from the performance — submitted to the Festival Organising Committee electronically by e-mail.
4.5. PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS
The Festival Organising Committee invites a school delegation to participate in the competition consisting of 1–2 teachers and up to 10 student participants of the performance, up to 12 participants in total. The Festival Organising Committee pays for the accommodation of delegations from other cities and abroad and three meals a day at VGIK for the duration of the Festival from 15 to 21 November 2026. Additional days of accommodation and meals beyond the established Festival dates are not paid for by the Organising Committee. The deadline for submitting applications from Festival participants for accommodation is until 5 October 2026.
4.1. PROGRAMME
- International competition of graduation performances by Russian and foreign film and theatre universities;
- Non-competition screenings of graduation performances by Russian and foreign film and theatre universities;
- Master classes by leading figures of film and theatre from Russia and abroad.
4.2. DATES OF THE EVENT
The International Theatre Competition will take place from 16 to 20 November 2026.
4.3. TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
Graduation dramatic performances created by students and teachers of full-time graduating courses of Russian and foreign higher educational institutions providing professional training for film, theatre and television specialists are admitted to the competition. Only one performance from each invited Russian and foreign school is admitted to the competition. Performances participating in the competition may be performed in the language of the participating school's country. Stage sets must be mobile. VGIK does not build, transport, insure or handle stage sets, and does not provide props. Competition and non-competition programmes are formed by the Festival Organising Committee, guided by the objectives, these regulations and the theme of the Festival. The Organising Committee reserves the right to reasonably refuse a school participation in the festival.
4.4. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE COMPETITION
The complete application package for participation in the International Theatre Competition must be submitted to the Festival Organising Committee no later than 16 September 2026. Applications submitted later will not be accepted.
The application package for participation in the competition includes:
- A completed application form signed by an official representative of the school (rector, dean, artistic director) — submitted to the Festival Organising Committee by e-mail at theatredep@vgikfestival.com, as well as in the original version;
- A recording of the performance — submitted either as a DVD disc to the Festival Organising Committee at the address: 129226, Russia, Moscow, 3 Wilhelm Pieck Street, marked 22nd International Theatre Competition, or by e-mail a link to a video hosting/file sharing service with the recording of the performance;
- 3 photographs from the performance — submitted to the Festival Organising Committee electronically by e-mail.
4.5. PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS
The Festival Organising Committee invites a school delegation to participate in the competition consisting of 1–2 teachers and up to 10 student participants of the performance, up to 12 participants in total. The Festival Organising Committee pays for the accommodation of delegations from other cities and abroad and three meals a day at VGIK for the duration of the Festival from 15 to 21 November 2026. Additional days of accommodation and meals beyond the established Festival dates are not paid for by the Organising Committee. The deadline for submitting applications from Festival participants for accommodation is until 5 October 2026.
5. LEGAL ISSUES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Submission of an application for participation in the festival signifies the participant's full agreement with these regulations. It is necessary to comply with the requirements of Russian legislation, including (but not limited to):
- restrictions on the display of tobacco smoking and the use of profanity;
- prohibition of propaganda of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors;
- prohibition of propaganda or agitation inciting social, racial, national or religious hatred and enmity;
- prohibition of propaganda of extremist activities and the use of extremist materials, pornography, absence of materials promoting non-traditional sexual relations and (or) preferences.
When submitting an application for participation in the festival, the participant signs:
- The participant's consent to the processing of their personal data in accordance with Federal Law No. 152-FZ of 27 July 2006 On Personal Data;
- A licence agreement under which the Festival participant (licensor) grants the Festival organiser (licensee), free of charge, the right to use the audiovisual work — the film, theatrical and entertainment performance submitted by the participant for screening at the festival — in the following ways:
- reproduction of the film for the purposes of holding the Festival;
- distribution of the film for the purposes of holding the Festival;
- public screening of the film/theatrical and entertainment performance for the purposes of holding the Festival;
- use of the film's trailer, stills, slides and other fragments of the film with a duration of no more than 3 minutes for publications in the media and on the Internet for the purposes of holding the Festival.
The Festival organiser has the right to issue sublicences to third parties without obtaining additional written approval from the Festival participant, provided that the provisions of these regulations are observed. The use of films/theatrical and entertainment performances is possible only for the purposes of holding the Festival. Submission of an application for participation in any of the three competitive programmes of the festival signifies the Festival participant's assurance that they are the copyright holder of the film/theatrical and entertainment performance, or have all necessary permissions from the copyright holders of the film/theatrical and entertainment performance participating in the Festival programme for their use within the framework of the Festival. The Festival participant guarantees that in the event of any claims from third parties regarding the infringement of any intellectual rights, they will independently and at their own expense resolve such claims.
Submission of an application for participation in the festival signifies the participant's full agreement with these regulations. It is necessary to comply with the requirements of Russian legislation, including (but not limited to):
- restrictions on the display of tobacco smoking and the use of profanity;
- prohibition of propaganda of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors;
- prohibition of propaganda or agitation inciting social, racial, national or religious hatred and enmity;
- prohibition of propaganda of extremist activities and the use of extremist materials, pornography, absence of materials promoting non-traditional sexual relations and (or) preferences.
When submitting an application for participation in the festival, the participant signs:
- The participant's consent to the processing of their personal data in accordance with Federal Law No. 152-FZ of 27 July 2006 On Personal Data;
- A licence agreement under which the Festival participant (licensor) grants the Festival organiser (licensee), free of charge, the right to use the audiovisual work — the film, theatrical and entertainment performance submitted by the participant for screening at the festival — in the following ways:
- reproduction of the film for the purposes of holding the Festival;
- distribution of the film for the purposes of holding the Festival;
- public screening of the film/theatrical and entertainment performance for the purposes of holding the Festival;
- use of the film's trailer, stills, slides and other fragments of the film with a duration of no more than 3 minutes for publications in the media and on the Internet for the purposes of holding the Festival.
The Festival organiser has the right to issue sublicences to third parties without obtaining additional written approval from the Festival participant, provided that the provisions of these regulations are observed. The use of films/theatrical and entertainment performances is possible only for the purposes of holding the Festival. Submission of an application for participation in any of the three competitive programmes of the festival signifies the Festival participant's assurance that they are the copyright holder of the film/theatrical and entertainment performance, or have all necessary permissions from the copyright holders of the film/theatrical and entertainment performance participating in the Festival programme for their use within the framework of the Festival. The Festival participant guarantees that in the event of any claims from third parties regarding the infringement of any intellectual rights, they will independently and at their own expense resolve such claims.
VGIK International Student Festival 2026