Minsk International Film Festival “Listapad” - is the biggest and high-status cinema event in Belarus. The Festival is held annually in November.
Competition programme of MIFF “Listapad” includes 4 sections:
Feature films (Main Competition and Competition of debut films “Youth on the March”);
Documentaries (Main Competition and National Film Schools Competition);
Children and Youth Film Competition “Listapadzik”;
National Competition (includes feature films, documentaries and animation).
MIFF “Listapad” brings the world’s best films to Minsk. MIFF “Listapad” presents the best films from all over the world. Main Competitions of the Festival focus on new films created in former socialistic countries, including CIS countries, Central and South-East Asia, Baltics, Eastern and Central Europe. The best works from the region recognized by the most prestigious festivals in Europe are competing for the main award of the Festival. “Youth on the March” Competition presents a collection of debut works from directors all over the world, acknowledged by cinema professionals and audience.
7 International juries work at the Festival. The highest award of the Festival is “Golden Listapad” (For the Best Film), followed by “Silver Listapad” award (Film as an Art Phenomenon, given by International Press Jury). The third award of the Festival is “Bronze Listapad” (audience award for the Best Feature film).
More than 200 screenings take place at 6 venues. The majority of the screenings are followed by Q&A sessions with the authors of the films. Various workshops, retrospectives and exhibitions complement the programme. 40 000 people attend the Festival. More than 100 guests representing cultural and business elite arrive to present their works, become a jury member or give a workshop.
Founders of the Festival are Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus and Minsk City Executive Committee. The President of the Republic of Belarus patronizes the festival.
Mission of MIFF “Listapad”:
To preserve a cinematographic space and to give a full impression of the cinematography of the former socialistic countries, including Central and South-East Asia, Baltics, Eastern and Central Europe;
To present the variety of widely appreciated feature films and documentaries to Belarussian public;
To form high cultural status of cinema and involve young talents into the industry.
Festival’s history:
The First edition of MIFF “Listapad” was held in Minsk in 1994. Until 2002, the Festival was known as International Film Festival of CIS and Baltic Countries.
Since 1996, the Main prize Golden “Listapad” have been awarded according to audience’s choice. Since 2010, professional jury has been making decisions on the awards.
The Festival gained a new status in 2011 with temporary FIAPF accreditation. In 2013 FIAPF recognized the high organizational level and accredited MIFF “Listapad” as a competitive specialized festival for films produced in Baltic and Central-Asian countries, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. Festival has joined the line of the most prestigious film festivals accredited by FIAPF, such as Berlinale, Venezia, Warsaw and Moscow film festival.
Main innovation of the 21st edition of MIFF “Listapad” is specialized competition for Belarussian films, produced both in Belarus and outside the country.
The 25nd edition of MIFF “Listapad” will take place on November 2-9, 2018.
http://listapad.com/