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Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan – The organizers of the XXII Kazan International Altyn Minbar Film Festival have officially announced an open call for submissions to the festival’s International Pitching of Film Projects, inviting filmmakers from Russia and around the world to present their ideas and compete for funding and production opportunities.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, Tatarkino, and Kinofest LLC, the pitching program serves as a dynamic platform where filmmakers publicly present and defend their projects before an Expert Council composed of leading producers, directors, film scholars, and industry professionals. The initiative is designed to connect creative talent with individuals and organizations interested in supporting and implementing promising cinematic projects.
The international pitching aims to stimulate joint film production with the Republic of Tatarstan, encourage collaborations between Russian regions and foreign countries, discover new voices in cinema, and promote innovative ideas in film development. The initiative also seeks to build a global network of filmmakers and foster cooperation among producers, directors, and creative professionals.
Applications are open to individual filmmakers and creative teams from Russia and abroad who have previous experience in film production, including at least one feature film. Submissions are accepted in both English and Russian. Projects may be entered in one of two categories: Feature-Length Films, represented by a synopsis or screenplay, and Vertical Series, consisting of episodes of up to two minutes each, with a minimum of twenty episodes. Co-production with the Republic of Tatarstan is a mandatory requirement for all submissions.
The submission period remains open until August 1, 2026, at 23:59 Moscow time. Shortlisted participants will be invited to present their projects either in person or online on September 7–8, 2026, at the National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan in Kazan.
The pitching competition offers a total prize fund of 500,000 rubles, provided by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan. In addition to the cash award, winning projects may receive production opportunities, implementation support, valuable prizes, and discounts on a range of film-related services.
The XXII Kazan International Altyn Minbar Film Festival, taking place from September 4 to 8, 2026, continues its mission of positioning Tatarstan as a meeting point for international cinema, creative collaboration, and cultural exchange, offering filmmakers an exceptional opportunity to transform their ideas into reality.
