Saratov Sufferings International Film Festival of Documentary Drama

About Saratov Sufferings International Film Festival of Documentary Drama

The Saratov Sufferings International Film Festival is the world’s only film festival dedicated exclusively to the genre of documentary drama. Held every September in Saratov, Russia, the festival was founded over 15 years ago and continues to spotlight theatrical-style documentaries from around the globe.

Saratov has a deep-rooted cinema tradition. Notably, legendary war cinematographer Vladislav Mikosha began his career here at the Lower-Volga Newsreel Studio, the oldest film studio in Russia, established in 1927. Today, this studio operates as a cinema theater and serves as the festival’s main venue.

The festival’s name, Saratov Sufferings, is inspired by an old local folk music genre called “suffering”, known for its emotional refrains and expressive style. Although it is a low-budget festival and does not offer screening fees, participants are rewarded with a welcoming atmosphere, strong community engagement, and a chance to screen their films alongside some of the best in international documentary cinema.

Renowned filmmakers such as Helena Třeštíková, Maria Kravchenko, Alexander Nanau, Kim Longinotto, David Kinsella, and many others have participated in previous editions.

Festival Focus and Requirements

Saratov Sufferings seeks independent, theatrical-style documentary films. It does not accept television-style documentaries or journalistic reports.

This year’s special theme is Volunteering and Civic Activism. The festival welcomes films of any length that explore social transformation and highlight individuals making a difference in their communities.

Awards

• Jury Grand Prix
• Jury Award for Best Documentary – 1st Prize
• Jury Award for Best Documentary – 2nd Prize
• Jury Award for Best Documentary – 3rd Prize
• Best Cinematography Award (named after Vladislav Mikosha)
• Best Debut Award
• Special Jury Award
• Audience Award for Best Documentary

Submission Rules

• Eligible films must be completed after January 1, 2021 (preference for those premiering after January 1, 2022).
• Premiere status is not required, though preference is given to films with an open Russian premiere.
• Feature-length films that have been theatrically released, broadcast on national TV, or made available on DVD/VOD before the festival are ineligible for competition, unless approved for special screening.
• Films not in English must include English subtitles (.srt format).
• Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.