TRAVEL FILM International Film Festival

Overview

The TRAVEL FILM International Film Festival is a competitive film festival based in Moscow, Russia, dedicated to travel and outdoor sports filmmaking. The festival accepts documentary, fiction, animated, and mobile phone films about travel - or films where travel is an important part of the synopsis. The 11th edition's final ceremony takes place February 20 to 21, 2027, in Moscow, where the best films are screened on the big screen and compete for titles including "Best Travel Film" and "Best Outdoor Sports Film."

Submissions are accepted through FilmFreeway. The submission deadline for the current cycle is February 1, 2026. Films completed on or after January 1, 2020 are eligible. There are no premiere requirements - films that have screened at other festivals, have distribution deals, have been broadcast on television, or are available to view online remain eligible. This is one of the most permissive eligibility policies among competitive film festivals.

The festival accepts both professional and enthusiast filmmaking. According to the festival's stated philosophy, the original story told in the film matters more than the budget, cast, or production team. This makes TRAVEL FILM one of the few competitive festivals that explicitly invites amateur and hobbyist travel filmmakers alongside professionals.

Submission Details

All submissions go through FilmFreeway. The festival does not accept submissions by email or physical mail.

Each film can only be submitted once in one category. If a film fits multiple categories, the filmmaker chooses the most appropriate one. Submission fees must be paid in full for each film and are non-refundable. Incorrectly completed entry forms or missing information may lead to disqualification.

The jury screens films privately. Only officially selected films are screened at the annual event. Selected films are notified by email and listed on the festival website. The festival communicates exclusively through email - no phone inquiries are entertained regarding selection decisions.

Selected films must be delivered in HD format via Dropbox or WeTransfer for the annual screening. The festival does not accept press kits or supporting materials unless specifically requested.

Competition Categories and Awards

TRAVEL FILM presents awards across multiple travel and outdoor sports categories. One film from each category is awarded at the annual ceremony.

Travel Film Categories

• Grand Prix - best film overall
• Best Travel Director
• Best Travel Cinematography
• Best Travel Short Film
• Best Travel Feature Documentary
• Best Travel Short Documentary
• Best Travel Music Video
• Best Travel TV Pilot / Web Series
• Best Travel Video Guide
• Best Travel Commercials

Outdoor Sports Categories

• Best Outdoor Sports Short Film
• Best Outdoor Sports Feature Documentary
• Best Outdoor Sports Short Documentary
• Best Outdoor Sports Music Video
• Best Outdoor Sports TV Pilot / Web Series
• Best Outdoor Sports Commercials

The best films across all categories are screened on the big screen during the final ceremony on February 20 to 21, 2027, in Moscow, and compete for the overall titles of "Best Travel Film" and "Best Outdoor Sports Film."

What Filmmakers Should Know

No Premiere Requirement and Online Eligibility

TRAVEL FILM is one of the few competitive festivals that explicitly accepts films with prior distribution, television broadcast, or full online availability. Most competitive festivals require at least a regional premiere or exclude films available on streaming platforms. TRAVEL FILM's policy means filmmakers whose travel documentaries have already been released on YouTube, Vimeo, or streaming services can still submit and compete. This is particularly relevant for travel and outdoor sports content, where online release is often the primary distribution strategy.

Professional and Amateur Filmmakers

The festival explicitly states that the majority of contestants are enthusiasts rather than industry professionals. The festival's stated judging philosophy prioritizes the originality of the story over production budget or filmmaker credentials. This creates a different competitive environment than festivals like Banff or PSFF, where professional production values are expected. For amateur travel filmmakers, TRAVEL FILM offers one of the most accessible competitive platforms available.

Language Requirements

All films must be in Russian or English, or have Russian or English subtitles. Films without words are exempt from this requirement. Filmmakers submitting non-Russian or non-English content must ensure subtitles are properly embedded or available. This is a hard requirement - films without proper language support may be disqualified.

Moscow-Based Screening

The final ceremony and public screenings take place in Moscow. Filmmakers whose work is selected for the big-screen ceremony should be aware that the festival is Russia-based, which has implications for travel, visas, and international payment processing. The festival does not appear to publish a formal travel stipend or accommodation policy for selected filmmakers. International filmmakers should verify current visa requirements and travel logistics well in advance.

No Refunds and No Waivers

Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. The festival does not offer fee waivers or discounts. This is a stricter policy than many festivals that offer student discounts, early bird rates, or waiver programs for underrepresented filmmakers. Budget your submission accordingly - if your film is not selected, the fee is not returned.

Private Jury Process

The jury screens all submitted films privately. Only officially selected films receive public screenings at the annual event. This means the festival does not provide feedback on non-selected films, and all selection decisions are final. The festival explicitly states that no inquiries or arguments regarding non-selected films will be entertained.

Festival History

The TRAVEL FILM International Film Festival was founded in 2015 in Moscow, Russia. The festival was created to collect the best travel and outdoor sports films from around the world and bring them to Russian audiences. The festival has run annually for 11 editions, growing from a small local event into an international competition with submissions from filmmakers worldwide.

The festival has maintained its focus on travel and outdoor sports content throughout its history, distinguishing itself from general documentary festivals by maintaining a specific thematic scope. The festival accepts a broad definition of "travel" - including hiking, ski trekking, cycling, motorcycle travel, hitchhiking, bus tours, pilgrimage tours, round-the-world trips, and films about cultures, traditions, history, emigrants, wildlife, and nature.

The 10th edition held its final ceremony in February 2026 in Moscow. The 11th edition's final ceremony is scheduled for February 20 to 21, 2027.

See Also

For adventure and outdoor filmmaking, see Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival. For documentary filmmaking approaches, see Documentary Filmmaking Guide. For festival strategy and planning, see Film Festival Strategy. To calculate the return on festival submission spending, use the Festival ROI Calculator. Submit through the TRAVEL FILM FilmFreeway page or visit the official festival website.