1. General Provisions
1.1. These Regulations define the procedure and terms for organizing and conducting the III International Documentary Film, Media Projects and AI Projects Festival “Khanzhonkov Doc: Frontline”.
1.2. The organizer of the III International Documentary Film, Media Projects and AI Projects Festival “Khanzhonkov Doc: Frontline” is the Rostov Regional Search Organization “Mius-Front”.
1.3. The III International Documentary Film, Media Projects and AI Projects Festival “Khanzhonkov Doc: Frontline” is held with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.
2. Objectives
2.1. The main objective of the III International Documentary Film, Media Projects and AI Projects Festival “Khanzhonkov Doc: Frontline” is the professional and creative development of Russian documentary filmmaking based on traditional spiritual and moral values, as well as the identification and support of talented documentary filmmakers, cinematographers, creators of television programs and media content, and war correspondents.
The Festival seeks to reflect the multifaceted nature of contemporary life by providing a platform for a wide range of authorial perspectives and creative expressions.
2.2. The III International Documentary Film, Media Projects and AI Projects Festival “Khanzhonkov Doc: Frontline” is aimed at fostering patriotism and preserving historical memory among documentary filmmakers, television professionals and digital creators.
Moving beyond the dominance of a single theme, the Festival presents a panorama of relevant stories that shape the identity of our era. The Festival focuses on the true heroes of our time, the connection with history, culture, traditions and values of one’s people.
At the same time, the thematic scope of the films is not limited to military narratives. It encompasses the exploration of cultural codes, personal histories through diaries and testimonies, portraits of contemporaries in their professional and personal pursuits, the horizons of science, the interaction between technology and humanity, as well as environmental challenges and the emerging ethics of responsible consumption.
3. FESTIVAL PROCEDURE
3.1. The III International Documentary Film, Media Projects and AI Projects Festival “Khanzhonkov Doc: Frontline” (hereinafter referred to as the Festival) is the successor to the International Documentary Film and Media Projects Festival “Frontline” and is held annually.
In 2026, the Festival will take place in the city of Rostov-on-Don from December 1 to December 4.
3.2. The Festival program includes an educational and cultural outreach program comprising:
- the Festival opening ceremony;
- competitive screenings;
- non-competitive screenings;
- meetings with filmmakers and project authors;
- round tables;
- master classes;
- the Festival closing ceremony.
3.3. As part of the Festival, a creative competition of documentary films, media projects and AI projects (hereinafter referred to as the Competition) will be held. Winners will be selected in eight (8) categories.
3.4. The Festival Organizer reserves the right to establish special prizes and diplomas for Competition participants.
3.5. Russian and international documentary and television projects produced between 2024 and 2026 are eligible for participation in the Competition.
3.6. Works submitted to the Competition must be in Russian.
Works produced in the official languages of the republics within the Russian Federation, in other languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation, or in foreign languages must be accompanied by Russian subtitles.
3.7. The Competition is held in the following categories:
- Feature-Length Documentary Film (over 40 minutes);
- Short Documentary Film (up to 40 minutes);
- Documentary Film on the Special Military Operation (SMO);
- Debut Film;
- Reportage / News Story;
- Television Program;
- Online Project (a website or a project created on social media platforms — VK, Odnoklassniki, Telegram, Rutube, YouTube — launched at least three months before the submission deadline for social media projects, with at least 1,000 subscribers);
- AI-Based Project (short films from 1 to 10 minutes in length created with substantial use of artificial intelligence technologies. Documentary, art documentary, experimental, animated, hybrid, music-visual and essayistic forms are accepted).
3.8. No more than three (3) winners may be selected in each category: two (2) laureates and one (1) category winner.
3.9. The basis for participation in the Competition is an application submitted through the Festival website.
3.10. The application must include active links allowing access to the submitted documentary film, reportage or television program.
- The participant’s work must be uploaded to an accessible file-sharing platform, and the Organizer must be provided with a download link.
- Competition applications are accepted electronically via the Festival website from July 1 to October 15, 2026.
- Materials submitted for the Competition will not be returned.
- Materials submitted in an incomplete form or prepared in violation of the requirements specified in these Regulations will not be accepted for participation in the Competition.
- Participation in the Competition is free of charge.
4. Organizational Expenses
4.1. Expenses related to transportation (arrival and departure) of Festival finalists, as well as accommodation, are covered by the Organizer subject to the availability of financial resources.
4.2. The Festival Organizing Committee does not arrange delivery of prizes to laureates who did not attend the award ceremony.
5. Competition Evaluation and Results
5.1. A Festival Jury, headed by the Jury Chairperson, is established to review and creatively evaluate the works submitted for the Competition. The Jury composition is formed and approved by the Festival Organizer.
5.2. The Jury makes decisions regarding each Competition participant through open voting.
5.3. Competition winners receive Winner Diplomas and Laureate Diplomas, as well as diplomas in special categories. Category winners also receive a commemorative award statuette.
5.4. The highest award of the Competition is the Grand Prix.
5.5. The list of films, media projects and AI projects selected for the Competition Program will be published on the Festival website no later than two weeks before the Festival opening.
6. Final Provisions
6.1. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to use excerpts from works submitted to the Competition (up to 3 minutes in duration) for Festival-related publications in the press and media, on personal, partner and social media platforms, as well as on the official Festival website.
7. Contacts
7.1. Applications for participation in the Competition are accepted electronically via the Festival website:
For all inquiries related to the organization and conduct of the Festival, please contact the Festival Organizing Committee:
Phone: +7 961 273 12 25
Address:
Office 600 (6th floor),
1 Sivers Avenue,
Rostov-on-Don, 344082, Russia
E-mail: info@frontlinefest.ru
