In 2014, long before the well-known events in Donbass, filmmaker and producer Svetlana Dalskaya was approached by Alexander Kuprin, director of the documentary film LADAN-NAVIGATOR, with the idea of establishing the Rose of Donbass Film Festival in Donetsk. The name Rose of Donbass was chosen deliberately. The rose has long been a symbol of the flourishing southern cities of the region, representing peace, prosperity, and hope. Today, it also symbolizes unity, homecoming, and the cultural revival of the Donetsk People's Republic. As a native of Donetsk, Svetlana was immediately inspired by the idea. Her hometown had always been known for its beauty, cleanliness, and abundance of flowers. In the 1970s, UNESCO recognized Donetsk as the greenest industrial city in the world and awarded it the title of the “City of a Million Roses.” Rose bushes throughout the city bloomed for six to seven months each year. The prolonged conflict changed everything. Beginning in 2014, roses were no longer planted in the city. Only after the region’s accession to Russia did roses once again begin to bloom in the flowerbeds of Donetsk’s parks, squares, and public spaces. Blooming roses are not only a beautiful sight but also a symbol of life and hope during difficult times.
Residents of Donetsk often emphasize: “As long as the roses are blooming, things are not so bad. Life goes on, and we will overcome these challenges.” The year 2026 has been designated as the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia by a decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced on November 5, 2025, during a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations at the Kremlin. The opening of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival is scheduled for November 4, 2026, coinciding with Russia’s national holiday, Unity Day. The GENERATION Production Center LLC has received financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for the organization and hosting of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival in Donetsk. The Ministry of Culture of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Department of Culture of the Donetsk City Administration are providing comprehensive support in the preparation of this celebratory event.
In keeping with the festival’s central theme, special awards have been designed, including a commemorative statuette that reflects the spirit and symbolism of the Rose of Donbass.
The festival’s award statuette embodies the aspirations of Donbass: a delicate metal rose emerging from a spent cartridge case bearing a symbolic inscription. The core idea and unique mission of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival is to give audiences the opportunity to actively participate in the process of reconnecting with Russia’s cultural space. To encourage this engagement, the festival has established special awards for audience members who take an active part in festival events and activities. What makes the Rose of Donbass Film Festival truly unique is that it is the first large-scale cultural project of its kind to be held in the Donetsk People's Republic. The festival is set to become a long-awaited and vibrant cultural event for Donbass, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences in celebration of cinema, creativity, and cultural dialogue.
Residents of Donetsk often emphasize: “As long as the roses are blooming, things are not so bad. Life goes on, and we will overcome these challenges.” The year 2026 has been designated as the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia by a decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced on November 5, 2025, during a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations at the Kremlin. The opening of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival is scheduled for November 4, 2026, coinciding with Russia’s national holiday, Unity Day. The GENERATION Production Center LLC has received financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for the organization and hosting of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival in Donetsk. The Ministry of Culture of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Department of Culture of the Donetsk City Administration are providing comprehensive support in the preparation of this celebratory event.
In keeping with the festival’s central theme, special awards have been designed, including a commemorative statuette that reflects the spirit and symbolism of the Rose of Donbass.
The festival’s award statuette embodies the aspirations of Donbass: a delicate metal rose emerging from a spent cartridge case bearing a symbolic inscription. The core idea and unique mission of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival is to give audiences the opportunity to actively participate in the process of reconnecting with Russia’s cultural space. To encourage this engagement, the festival has established special awards for audience members who take an active part in festival events and activities. What makes the Rose of Donbass Film Festival truly unique is that it is the first large-scale cultural project of its kind to be held in the Donetsk People's Republic. The festival is set to become a long-awaited and vibrant cultural event for Donbass, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences in celebration of cinema, creativity, and cultural dialogue.
In 2014, long before the well-known events in Donbass, filmmaker and producer Svetlana Dalskaya was approached by Alexander Kuprin, director of the documentary film LADAN-NAVIGATOR, with the idea of establishing the Rose of Donbass Film Festival in Donetsk. The name Rose of Donbass was chosen deliberately. The rose has long been a symbol of the flourishing southern cities of the region, representing peace, prosperity, and hope. Today, it also symbolizes unity, homecoming, and the cultural revival of the Donetsk People's Republic.
As a native of Donetsk, Svetlana was immediately inspired by the idea. Her hometown had always been known for its beauty, cleanliness, and abundance of flowers. In the 1970s, UNESCO recognized Donetsk as the greenest industrial city in the world and awarded it the title of the “City of a Million Roses.” Rose bushes throughout the city bloomed for six to seven months each year. The prolonged conflict changed everything. Beginning in 2014, roses were no longer planted in the city. Only after the region’s accession to Russia did roses once again begin to bloom in the flowerbeds of Donetsk’s parks, squares, and public spaces. Blooming roses are not only a beautiful sight but also a symbol of life and hope during difficult times. Residents of Donetsk often emphasize: “As long as the roses are blooming, things are not so bad. Life goes on, and we will overcome these challenges.”
The festival’s award statuette embodies the aspirations of Donbass: a delicate metal rose emerging from a spent cartridge case bearing a symbolic inscription.
The core idea and unique mission of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival is to give audiences the opportunity to actively participate in the process of reconnecting with Russia’s cultural space. To encourage this engagement, the festival has established special awards for audience members who take an active part in festival events and activities.
What makes the Rose of Donbass Film Festival truly unique is that it is the first large-scale cultural project of its kind to be held in the Donetsk People's Republic. The festival is set to become a long-awaited and vibrant cultural event for Donbass, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences in celebration of cinema, creativity, and cultural dialogue.
The core idea and unique mission of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival is to give audiences the opportunity to actively participate in the process of reconnecting with Russia’s cultural space. To encourage this engagement, the festival has established special awards for audience members who take an active part in festival events and activities.
What makes the Rose of Donbass Film Festival truly unique is that it is the first large-scale cultural project of its kind to be held in the Donetsk People's Republic. The festival is set to become a long-awaited and vibrant cultural event for Donbass, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences in celebration of cinema, creativity, and cultural dialogue.
The year 2026 has been designated as the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia by a decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced on November 5, 2025, during a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations at the Kremlin. The opening of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival is scheduled for November 4, 2026, coinciding with Russia’s national holiday, Unity Day. The GENERATION Production Center LLC has received financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for the organization and hosting of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival in Donetsk. The Ministry of Culture of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Department of Culture of the Donetsk City Administration are providing comprehensive support in the preparation of this celebratory event. In keeping with the festival’s central theme, special awards have been designed, including a commemorative statuette that reflects the spirit and symbolism of the Rose of Donbass.
Regulations for the “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival
Regulations (Rules) of the 1st “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival
November 4–10, 2026
General Provisions Article 1
The year 2026 was declared the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia by decision of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, adopted on November 5, 2025, at a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations in the Kremlin.
In order to promote cultural exchange, mutual understanding among peoples, and cooperation between filmmakers, the 1st “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival will be held in Donetsk from November 4 to November 10, 2026.
Article 2. Organization of the Film Festival
The 1st International “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival is organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Applications for participation in the competition will be accepted from May 15, 2026, until October 1, 2026, by completing the application form on the official Film Festival website:
https://rozadonbassa.ru/
Article 3. Film Festival Program
Films submitted to the competition must:
“CREATING TOGETHER”
The following competition categories are established:
All films produced in Russia must possess a valid distribution certificate in accordance with Federal Law No. 101-FZ of May 5, 2014.
Article 4. Film Selection Process
Anyone wishing to submit a film to the “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival must officially notify the Festival Directorate no later than October 1, 2026.
Film selection is carried out by a Selection Committee appointed by the Festival President.
The Festival President reserves the right to exclude from the program any film that, in terms of content, artistic quality, or technical parameters, does not correspond to the spirit or requirements of the Festival.
Once the final official program has been approved, films may not be withdrawn from the competition.
Only films produced between 2024 and 2026 may participate in the competition program. This restriction does not apply to non-competitive screenings.
The screening schedule is determined by the Festival Directorate.
No film may be screened more than five times during the Festival, including press screenings.
Article 5
Only films completed no earlier than 2024 may participate in the competition programs.
The following competitions shall each include at least 30 films:
Article 6. Technical Requirements
Films submitted to both competitive and non-competitive programs must be provided in MP4 or MOV format in two mandatory versions:
1. Screening Copy for the Selection Committee and Jury
Provided through an online platform with download access or on external media.
Format:
2. Projection Copy for Cinema Screening
Recommended format:
A ready-to-screen DCP package may additionally be provided.
The DCP copy may be delivered on external media or via FTP link. Responsibility for the quality of the copy and reliability of the link lies entirely with the rights holder.
All accepted film copies must be delivered within the deadlines established by the Festival Directorate.
Article 7
Compliance with all requirements and deadlines is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in exclusion of the film from the Festival program.
Article 8
Films that have already participated in other film festivals are eligible for participation.
Documentation
Article 9
A completed application form confirming participation, together with all supplementary materials, must be submitted within the deadlines established by the Festival Directorate.
All fields of the online application form are mandatory.
Article 10
The Festival Directorate reserves the right to use excerpts from submitted films, up to three minutes in length, on the Festival website, in television programs, and in promotional materials.
Along with the application, a separate authorization from the rights holder must be submitted containing the following statement:
“The rights holder grants permission for non-commercial screenings within the framework of the ‘Rose of Donbass’ Film Festival events.”
Guests
Article 11
Questions regarding guest invitations, accreditation, and terms of stay shall be determined by the Festival Directorate.
Conditions for other guests are specified in their personal invitations.
Accreditation applications must be submitted within the deadlines established by the Festival Directorate.
Completed accreditation forms confirming participation must be received within the prescribed period.
Jury
Article 12
Four (4) competition juries shall be established to evaluate the submitted films.
The Festival Directorate covers travel expenses to and from the Festival, as well as accommodation expenses for jury members.
Awards
Article 13
Category I – Fiction Films
(Feature-Length and Short Films)
Rose of Donbass Statuette
Rose of Donbass Statuette
(Feature-Length and Short Films)
Rose of Donbass Statuette
Rose of Donbass Statuette
The Organizing Committee and Festival Directorate may also present:
Final Provisions
Article 14
Participation in the “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival implies full acceptance of these Regulations.
Article 15. Festival Directorate
Article 16. Contacts
Official Email:
rozadon@yandex.ru
Official Website:
https://rozadonbassa.ru/
Regulations (Rules) of the 1st “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival
November 4–10, 2026
General Provisions Article 1
The year 2026 was declared the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia by decision of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, adopted on November 5, 2025, at a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations in the Kremlin.
In order to promote cultural exchange, mutual understanding among peoples, and cooperation between filmmakers, the 1st “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival will be held in Donetsk from November 4 to November 10, 2026.
Article 2. Organization of the Film Festival
The 1st International “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival is organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Applications for participation in the competition will be accepted from May 15, 2026, until October 1, 2026, by completing the application form on the official Film Festival website:
https://rozadonbassa.ru/
Article 3. Film Festival Program
Films submitted to the competition must:
- Artistically portray the life of society and contemporary people as heirs to the best traditions of national culture;
- Promote family values;
- Affirm the principles of interethnic harmony and dialogue between cultures and religions;
- Reveal the distinctive features of Russian civilization and the Russian World.
“CREATING TOGETHER”
The following competition categories are established:
- Fiction Films (Short Films – up to 52 minutes; Feature Films – over 52 minutes);
- Documentary Films (Short Films – up to 52 minutes; Feature Films – over 52 minutes);
- Children’s Fiction Films (any running time);
- Animated Films (any running time and animation technique).
- Children’s Film Program “Clouds”;
- Retrospective Screenings.
All films produced in Russia must possess a valid distribution certificate in accordance with Federal Law No. 101-FZ of May 5, 2014.
Article 4. Film Selection Process
Anyone wishing to submit a film to the “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival must officially notify the Festival Directorate no later than October 1, 2026.
Film selection is carried out by a Selection Committee appointed by the Festival President.
The Festival President reserves the right to exclude from the program any film that, in terms of content, artistic quality, or technical parameters, does not correspond to the spirit or requirements of the Festival.
Once the final official program has been approved, films may not be withdrawn from the competition.
Only films produced between 2024 and 2026 may participate in the competition program. This restriction does not apply to non-competitive screenings.
The screening schedule is determined by the Festival Directorate.
No film may be screened more than five times during the Festival, including press screenings.
Article 5
Only films completed no earlier than 2024 may participate in the competition programs.
The following competitions shall each include at least 30 films:
- Feature Fiction Films;
- Feature Documentary Films;
- Animated Films.
- Short Fiction Films;
- Short Documentary Films;
- Animated Films.
Article 6. Technical Requirements
Films submitted to both competitive and non-competitive programs must be provided in MP4 or MOV format in two mandatory versions:
1. Screening Copy for the Selection Committee and Jury
Provided through an online platform with download access or on external media.
Format:
- HD / 2K
- Approximate file size: 1–2 GB for feature-length films.
- Yandex Disk
- Google Drive
- Vimeo
- Kinescope
2. Projection Copy for Cinema Screening
Recommended format:
- 4K (scope or flat)
- Approximate file size: 8–16 GB for feature-length films.
- 2K
- Approximate file size: 4–8 GB.
- Yandex Disk
- Google Drive
- Vimeo
- FTP servers
A ready-to-screen DCP package may additionally be provided.
The DCP copy may be delivered on external media or via FTP link. Responsibility for the quality of the copy and reliability of the link lies entirely with the rights holder.
All accepted film copies must be delivered within the deadlines established by the Festival Directorate.
Article 7
Compliance with all requirements and deadlines is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in exclusion of the film from the Festival program.
Article 8
Films that have already participated in other film festivals are eligible for participation.
Documentation
Article 9
A completed application form confirming participation, together with all supplementary materials, must be submitted within the deadlines established by the Festival Directorate.
All fields of the online application form are mandatory.
Article 10
The Festival Directorate reserves the right to use excerpts from submitted films, up to three minutes in length, on the Festival website, in television programs, and in promotional materials.
Along with the application, a separate authorization from the rights holder must be submitted containing the following statement:
“The rights holder grants permission for non-commercial screenings within the framework of the ‘Rose of Donbass’ Film Festival events.”
Guests
Article 11
Questions regarding guest invitations, accreditation, and terms of stay shall be determined by the Festival Directorate.
Conditions for other guests are specified in their personal invitations.
Accreditation applications must be submitted within the deadlines established by the Festival Directorate.
Completed accreditation forms confirming participation must be received within the prescribed period.
Jury
Article 12
Four (4) competition juries shall be established to evaluate the submitted films.
The Festival Directorate covers travel expenses to and from the Festival, as well as accommodation expenses for jury members.
Awards
Article 13
Category I – Fiction Films
(Feature-Length and Short Films)
Rose of Donbass Statuette
- Best Film (awarded to the director)
- Special Jury Prize;
- Best Director;
- Best Actress;
- Best Actor;
- Best Composer;
- Best Cinematographer;
- Best Screenwriter;
- Best Producer.
Rose of Donbass Statuette
- Best Film (selected by the Children’s Jury)
- Jury Diplomas with individual commendations.
(Feature-Length and Short Films)
Rose of Donbass Statuette
- Best Film.
- Best Director Diploma;
- Best Cinematography Diploma;
- Jury Diplomas with individual commendations.
Rose of Donbass Statuette
- Best Film.
- Jury Diplomas with individual commendations.
The Organizing Committee and Festival Directorate may also present:
- Prize of the Government of the DPR;
- Prize of the Host City Administration;
- Valuable gifts from the Organizing Committee and Festival President;
- Additional “Rose of Donbass” statuettes at the discretion of the Jury and Festival President.
- Awards for the Best Film of the Main Competition and the Debut Works Competition;
- Audience Award for the Best Film of the Main Competition, based on audience voting.
Final Provisions
Article 14
Participation in the “Rose of Donbass” Film Festival implies full acceptance of these Regulations.
Article 15. Festival Directorate
- General Director: Svetlana Nikolaevna Dalskaya
- Executive Director: Lyubov Gennadyevna Khobotova
- Artistic Director: Svetlana Leonidovna Kuznetsova
Article 16. Contacts
Official Email:
rozadon@yandex.ru
Official Website:
https://rozadonbassa.ru/
organizing committee
Имя Фамилия
актер, режиссер, артист рф
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
- Yana PoplavskayaPresident of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival
Soviet and Russian theater and film actress, television and radio host, theater educator, and public figure. - Svetlana DalskayaGeneral Producer of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival
Member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, Member of the Guild of Documentary Film and Television, Member of the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio, and Member of the Donbass Community Association in Moscow. - Svetlana KuznetsovaArtistic Director of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival
Member of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation. Artistic Director, Film Program Director, and Selection Committee Member for numerous Russian and international film festivals. - Lyubov KhobotovaExecutive Producer of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival
Member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, producer, film director, screenwriter, and educator. Leader of successful projects funded by the country’s leading foundations - Sergey TagashyovIndustry Program Curator of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival
Member of the Council for Nationalities Affairs under the Government of Moscow, President of the Crimean Spring Charitable Foundation, and Chairman of the All-Russian Public Organization for Friendship and Cooperation among Peoples, the Union of Nations and Peoples of Russia. - Andrey BaturinMusic Producer of the Rose of Donbass Film Festival.
Composer, President of the Union of Composers of Eurasia, member of the Board and Expert Council of the Composers Guild of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia, Honorary Arts Worker of the City of Moscow, producer, and Academician of the Petrovskaya Academy of Sciences and Arts.
team
Имя Фамилия
актер, режиссер, артист рф
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
- Maria ChernovaDirector of Public Relations, Rosa Donbassa Film Festival. Producer, theatre and film actress, TV host, public figure, Deputy Chair of the Moscow Regional Branch of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, member of the Guild of Film Actors of Russia, Co-Chair of the Moscow Regional Branch of the Cultural Front of Russia, organizer of the major charity concert held as part of the Together We Are Strong! festival, Chair of the International Charitable Movement Sun of Mercy.
- Alexander GundorovCurator of the Feature Film Competition, Rosa Donbassa Film Festival. Member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation. Producer of more than 100 documentary, television, and feature films, many of which have received awards at film festivals and national competitions. Head of numerous successful projects funded by the country's leading foundations.
- Максим КузнецовCurator of the Documentary Film Competition, Rosa Donbassa Film Festival. Film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer. General Producer of the Victory Day Film Festival. Member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio, member of the Guild of Non-Fiction Film and Television, member of the Russian Geographical Society. Winner and laureate of Russian and international film festivals.
- Mikhail GorobchukDirector of Photography and Videography, Rosa Donbassa Film Festival. Film director, cinematographer, animator. Member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, member of the Guild of Non-Fiction Film and Television. Prize winner of Russian and international film festivals. Laureate of the Lavr National Award in Non-Fiction Film and Television in the Best Cinematographer category.
- Oksana DzhumCurator of the Cultural Program, Rosa Donbassa Film Festival. PR Director, curator of projects and entertainment programs. Screenwriter and television producer. Producer of television programs for the RTR, Domashny, and TVC channels. Member of the Union of Journalists of Russia.
- Miroslav BabukovHead of the Press Center, publicist and director, multiple award winner at international television competitions and film festivals.
ANTHEM
Festival Guests
Имя Фамилия
актер, режиссер, артист рф
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
Имя Фамилия
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
актер, режиссер, артист рф
- Karen Georgievich Shakhnazarov
- Nikolai Petrovich Burlyaev
- Dmitry Anatolyevich Pevtsov
- Polina Vladimirovna Agureeva
- Elena Grigoryevna Drapeko
- Andrey Ilyich Merzlikin
- Aleksandr Yakovlevich Mikhaylov
- Aleksandr Vladimirovich Galibin
Festival Venues
Festival Partners
With the Support of:
