Artdocfest in Moscow has been organizing an educational section for several years. ArtdocSchool in 2023 was held in Almaty as part of Artdocfest/Asia from April 8 to 15, in 2024 it was held in Tashkent, but in 2025 it was held in Bishkek.
This kind of film school is relevant for those who are actively working in documentary films and journalism, and for those who are just starting to take their first steps in this direction. During lectures beginning documentary filmmakers, can learn something new about the profession, ask speakers any questions that might be bothering or ask for advice and even find like-minded people for their project.
The festival management invites authors who were noticed at the preselection stage and who fill out an submission for participation on our website as listeners of the ArtdocSchool.
The school lessons are held during the festival days in the morning. There are lectures and master classes in various areas relating to journalism and non-fiction films. Lessons are conducted on screenwriting, directing, camera work, as well as technical consultations and lectures on strategies for promoting documentary films at festivals. Experts share recommendations on finding and attracting a producer, as well as experience in independent production. It presents a wide range of knowledge needed by young documentary filmmakers for their professional growth. The speakers are significant guests, famous directors and participants of the festival.
ARTDOCSCHOOL-2025 SCHEDULE
May 19
10:00 – Alexandra Kretsan, "Intimate Cinema"
14:00 – Victoria Belopolskaya, "Myths of Festival Promotion for Documentary Films"
15:00 – Vitaly Mansky, "Author’s Cinema and the Reality of Life"
May 20
10:00 – producer Vlad Ketkovich, "See Paris and Die, or a New Life by New Rules"
11:00 – producer Alexander Urjanov, "Relocating a Production Studio to Europe and Working with Online Platforms"
16:00 – Askold Kurov and Andrey Loshak, "Journalist and/or Director?"
May 21
11:00 – director Daniel Berger and cinematographer Maria Dyagileva, "Small Budget — Big Cinema"
13:00 – director Beata Bashkirova, "Moving to Europe — Pros and Cons for Documentarians"
May 22
11:00 – directors Yana Sad and Stanislav Tokalov, "I-film"
12:00 – "What to Shoot With? Choosing Equipment for Documentarians"