⚔️ Yuri Ozerov International Military Film Festival to be Held in Tula

This year’s festival is dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the defense of Moscow, Tula, and Sevastopol. The competition program features five categories: feature films (“Combat Ten”), documentaries (“Battle for Life”), youth films (“Falcon Cub”), short films (“AKM”), and television cinema (“TV Series”). A total of 20 nominations are planned, alongside special awards.

The international program in 2026 brings together filmmakers from Russia, China, Iran, and Serbia. The “Combat Ten” competition will feature film premieres by Russian, Chinese, Belarusian, and Serbian directors. Director and producer Liang Du will lead the Chinese delegation, attending both the opening and closing ceremonies.

A dedicated section will showcase Chinese films at venues throughout the Tula Region. The film The Kid will be screened at the Museum and Exhibition Complex of the Tula Kremlin (Patriot Park), while Evil Without Borders will be shown at the Museum of Defense.

Beyond competition screenings, the schedule includes masterclasses, special events, and Q&A sessions with actors and directors, featuring a creative session with People’s Artist of Russia Yuri Nazarov.

Established in 2003, the Yuri Ozerov Festival achieved international status in 2004, welcoming foreign filmmakers to its lineup. Over its history, representatives from 15 countries have participated in festival events. Since 2016, the event has been hosted annually in Tula and the surrounding region.

The opening ceremony will take place on October 26 at 5:30 PM at the Gorky Tula State Academic Drama Theatre. The event will kick off with a red carpet walk (“Star Carpet”), featuring the presentation of the special “Golden Sword” award for Outstanding Contribution to Military Cinema to Igor Ugolnikov. Anastasia Busygina and Timur Eremeev will host the ceremony.

The festival’s closing ceremony and awards presentation will be held on October 29 at 6:00 PM at the Tula City Concert Hall, hosted by Inna Medvedeva and Maxim Sharafutdinov.

A press conference for media representatives is scheduled for October 26 at 1:00 PM at the SK Royal Hotel in Tula. Attendees will include festival organizers, leadership from the Tula Region, Russian directors and actors, and the Chinese delegation.

The 24th Yuri Ozerov International Military Film Festival is organized by the ONLY ART Studio.