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.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Submission Platform | FilmFreeway |
| Submission Deadline | February 1, 2026 |
| Final Ceremony | February 20 to 21, 2027 |
| Eligibility Window | Films completed on or after January 1, 2020 |
| Premiere Requirement | None |
| Online Availability | Films available online are eligible |
| Distribution Status | Films with distribution are eligible |
| Language Requirement | Russian or English, or Russian/English subtitles |
| Submission Fees | Non-refundable; no waivers or discounts |
| Maximum Submissions | No limit (separate fee per film) |
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.
Past Winners
The festival presents awards across travel and outdoor sports categories. The top prize is the Grand Prix. The festival has run 10 editions (2015-2026).
2026 Winners (10th Edition)
- Best Travel Feature Film: A Movie Trip by Carlos Daniel Alvarado (Venezuela)
- Best Travel Short Film: JAJCE - The Place We All Came From by Robert Dacesin (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Best Travel Feature Documentary: Russian Spitsbergen by Stanislav Shubert (Russia)
- Best Travel Short Documentary: The Secret of Montenegro's Katuns by Miki Dragicevic (Montenegro)
- Best Travel Music Video: Love in Yanbian by Tong Nian (China)
- Best Travel TV Pilot: The Extraordinary Adventures of Helen by Oleg Shukhat (Russia)
- Best Travel Web Series: Black Beyond Borders by Ebony Walden (USA)
- Best Travel Video Guide: Dares and Facts by David Cheban (Russia)
- Best Travel Drone Video: Liara by Alex Casas (Spain)
- Best Travel Commercial: What Do You Believe In? (Matosinhos) by Nelson Carvalheiro (Portugal)
- Best Travel Director: Gabriel Malvar for Steve Rogers (Philippines)
- Best Travel Cinematography: Komorebi by Emanuel Lupu-Marinei (Romania)
- Best Travel Debut: 50 Years of Kogalym by Sonya Kozlova et al. (Russia)
- Jury Special Award: Youth Council by Sergey Fakhrutdinov (Russia)
2020 Winners
- Best Film About Travels in Russia: Shantar Expedition by Vladimir Chebanov (Russia)
Notable Alumni Films and Where They Ended Up
- What Do You Believe In? (Matosinhos) (2026 Best Travel Commercial winner) won eight international awards in 2025. It won Best Travel Film at the Cannes World Film Festival and Best Tourism Destination at ART&TUR Festival. It was produced by the Matosinhos City Council.
- JAJCE - The Place We All Came From (2026 Best Travel Short Film winner) won second place at the Japan World's Tourism Film Festival. It competed against over 1,000 videos from 70 countries. It is available on YouTube.
- Black Beyond Borders (2026 Best Travel Web Series winner) premiered on YouTube in November 2025. The series explores the African diaspora through culture, connection, and cuisine across four episodes set in Dakar, Senegal.
- Palawan: The Last Bastion by Gabriel Malvar was a finalist at the 2026 festival. It was also selected at Travel Fest Albania 2022. It highlights the fragile state of Palawan's marine ecosystem.
- From Kurils With Love is a Russian outdoor sports documentary that has screened at multiple international festivals. It showcases the remote Kuril Islands through an expedition lens.
Submission Tips Specific to This Festival
The festival accepts films already available online. This is rare among competitive festivals. You can submit films that have been released on YouTube, Vimeo, or streaming platforms without penalty.
The festival explicitly welcomes enthusiast and amateur filmmakers. If you are a hobbyist travel filmmaker, this is one of the few competitive festivals where you compete on story rather than production budget. Emphasize the originality of your travel narrative in your submission.
Each film can only be submitted in one category. Choose your category carefully. The festival offers separate categories for drone videos, mobile videos, web series, and video guides. These niche categories may have less competition than the main documentary or fiction categories.
Russian or English subtitles are mandatory for non-Russian and non-English films. Films without proper language support may be disqualified. Budget for subtitle preparation before submission.
The festival does not offer fee waivers or discounts. Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. This is stricter than most festivals. Be confident in your film before submitting.
The festival accepts films completed on or after January 1, 2020. This five-year eligibility window is wider than most festivals, which typically limit eligibility to films completed within the last 12 to 24 months.
Industry Reputation Notes
TRAVEL FILM is one of the few festivals in the world dedicated exclusively to travel and outdoor sports filmmaking. Founded in 2015, it has run 10 editions and grown into an international competition with submissions from over 50 countries.
Compared to other travel film festivals like the Japan World's Tourism Film Festival or the Terres Travel Festival in Spain, TRAVEL FILM has a broader format acceptance. Its inclusion of mobile videos, drone videos, and video guides makes it more accessible to digital-native creators. However, its industry market presence is limited.
The festival is part of the CIFFT (International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals) circuit. Films that win at TRAVEL FILM earn points in the CIFFT ranking system. This connects the festival to a broader network of tourism film festivals worldwide.
The festival's location in Moscow presents logistical challenges for international attendees. Visa requirements and travel logistics should be verified well in advance. The festival does not publish a formal travel stipend policy for selected filmmakers.
The festival's permissive eligibility policy is its most distinctive feature. No premiere requirement, no online exclusivity, and a five-year completion window make it one of the most accessible competitive festivals for travel content creators.
Watch
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.
