More than 1,000 films from 40 countries: the Antares Film Festival breaks records with 5 months to go

The third Antares International Film Festival, taking place in Moscow, announces an interim record. As of April 13, 2026, the organizing committee has received more than 1,000 applications from cinematographers from all inhabited continents of the Earth.

Such an impressive figure, achieved long before the final acceptance of applications, confirms the status of Antares as one of the most dynamically developing and sought-after venues for independent and auteur cinema. The festival management notes not only quantitative but also qualitative growth: the geography of participants has expanded from the familiar Spain and Russia to the exotic and original film schools of Colombia, Iran, South Korea and Australia.

World cinema on the map of Antares

The festival's database now includes works from more than 40 countries around the world. Among them, the following are confidently in the lead:

This diversity turns the competition screenings into an exciting journey through the cultural codes of different nations: from the harsh landscapes of the Russian Arctic to the picturesque villages of Turkish Safranbolu and the sun-drenched streets of Spanish Alicante.

In the spotlight: The Man of work and the world of professions

Analyzing the applications received, the selection committee highlighted a striking trend this season — the deep interest of directors in the world of professions and the man of work. In the age of digital technology and detached dramas, filmmakers are turning to the honest and sometimes harsh daily lives of people who build, teach, heal, and create the foundation of our lives.

Among the hundreds of works on the Antares longlist, one can already identify an impressive list of screen professions and vocations that formed the basis of the plots.:
Welder, fisherman, teacher, priest, athlete (judoka, basketball player), journalist, illustrator, artist, lawyer, immigration lawyer, actress, theater teacher, office worker (in the age of AI), cinematographer, songwriter (sleep companion).

Of particular interest are documentary and feature films exploring the phenomenon of professional duty. For example, the story of a Russian welder who creates beauty out of metal; a Spanish drama about a journalist who conducts a live interview with a corrupt official; a touching Turkish doc about a young man who single-handedly drags a basketball club in a small industrial town; or an Australian animation about an artist's inner struggle.

"They send us films where profession is not just a background, but a litmus test of character," the festival's selectors comment. — We see teachers struggling with their own traumas (the film "TAP TAP"), and lawyers torn between the letter of the law and humanity ("Como un lastre"). This is a real, live movie."

About the Antares Film Festival

Let us remind you that the III Antares International Film Festival accepts applications for competitions:

The festival values not only a high budget, but also sincerity, a unique author's perspective and professional skills. That is why we invite both recognized masters and debutants, film school students and independent creators to participate.

Applications are being accepted

Despite the fact that the target of 1,000 applications has already been taken, the doors of the festival remain open. You still have time for your film to be seen by the audience and a professional jury in Moscow.

Join the Antares constellation! Become a part of the global film process, where the main role is assigned to a Person and his Work.