ARCTIC OPEN is a festival where film directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors have the rare opportunity to show their independent films to full houses, win applause and get feedback, not impersonal Internet-channeled comments, from live audiences. Here, viewers enjoy their unconditional right to ask questions and express feelings — cry or laugh, if they feel so. ARCTIC OPEN sees its mission as being a venue for people who make movies and people who watch them to meet and communicate warmly.

Every year, Arctic Open receives 2,500 submissions from 106 countries to select approximately 70. Competing in four categories — feature films, shorts, documentaries, and films for children and youth — the shortlisted films are judged by four jury panels that select Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Cinematographer, as well as award special prizes to best debut and much more. Traditionally, the Festival runs on its sidelines retrospectives, filmmaking labs, and special programs such as “Arctic Open CHILDREN”, “ARCTIC OPEN Barrierless”, “Big Cinema to Smaller Screens”, Arctic Outdoor Cinema, and Festival Films Night.

ARCTIC OPEN is more than a festival. It is a multifaceted cultural phenomenon that unfolds within the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation all year round. It is a one-of-a-kind platform that brings together generations, nationalities and people from all walks of life to experience modern cinematography inspired by the spirit, history and cultural diversity of the Russian North and the Arctic.

Under the umbrella of the ARCTIC OPEN, the area of Arkhangelsk is witnessing the emergence of its Cultural Film Cluster where the art of cinematography generates a diversity of film events, connecting creative industries, cultural venues and schools and giving impetus to more cultural institutions in the Arctic areas.