2025
Join us for the Second International Slavic Film Festival in Los Angeles — a full-day celebration of film, culture, and community, presented with the collaboration of DeepArtment and the City of West Hollywood.
Submissions are currently open, and we are already seeing a strong and exciting range of short documentaries and films by Slavic filmmakers, reflecting diverse voices and perspectives. The festival will also feature cultural programming, networking opportunities, and live audience engagement through Q&A sessions.
We are proud to feature a distinguished panel of judges, including internationally recognized industry professionals. Among them are Pavel Talankin, co-director of the Academy Award–winning documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin (Oscars 2026), Danish cinematographer Thomas Haas, and Hiro Konishi, professor at Saddleback College with extensive experience in documentary filmmaking and mentorship. Our Short Film Showcase will be evaluated by a dynamic group of creatives, including actress, producer, and director Lydie Denie, industry professional and Academy member Maria Mayenzet, and producer, director, and writer Sonia Machado-Hines.
The festival will take place at the City of West Hollywood Chambers, offering a unique and welcoming space for cultural exchange and artistic dialogue. Guests will also have the opportunity to connect with filmmakers, enjoy community activities
Location: 625 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Tickets: Available soon
Full schedule: Coming soon
JUDGES
is a documentary filmmaker and educator originally from Russia. He is the co-director of the Academy Award–winning documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin (2026), a film that explores contemporary political realities and the role of media and education. His work focuses on social issues, personal narratives, and the intersection of individual experience with larger historical and cultural contexts.
is a producer, director, and writer whose company, Black ++ Productions, was created to bring her own stories and other women’s stories to the screen. She has brought 34 films to life and is known for combining creative vision with strong production leadership. Her recent projects include Hiplet, Sheepish, and A Lady’s Love.
is an actress-turned-filmmaker with a passion for storytelling that transcends the screen. After a successful acting career with over forty television series and feature films she has shifted her focus to writing, directing, and producing films.
As a filmmaker, Lydie is committed to nurturing emerging talent, serving as an executive producer on short films that give young filmmakers a platform to bring their visions to life. Her directorial debut, Unforgotten Box, is a deeply personal documentary that reflects her love for intimate, thought-provoking narratives.
is founder of the Speaking Creation Inc, a documentary film maker and an art activist and promoter. She was born in Belarus. Native to the Slavic culture, world's fine arts and the science of physics with Fractals being her forever inspiration, Vita got a degree in the History and Theory of Fine Arts but focused on journalism. She excelled in TV news reportage, documentaries, feature films, and unscripted reality before moving to Los Angeles and returning to her lifelong dream of promoting creativity.
An award-winning Russian TV and film director known for hit series like “Absurd,” “Sketch of Murder,” and “New Man.” A graduate of the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, he has directed hundreds of episodes across major Russian networks, blending sharp storytelling with a deep understanding of contemporary life. His work spans drama, comedy, and crime, making him one of the most versatile
A hair stylist with over 13 years of experience in the film industry and a member of the Hollywood film union Local 706. Her work spans a wide range of productions across Europe and the United States, where she skillfully merges diverse techniques and creative approaches from both cinematic traditions. Alona has also contributed her expertise to projects at Warner Bros., further enriching her international portfolio. She specializes in character styling for film and television, bringing a versatile skill set to every project and thriving in both major studio productions and independent films.
Festival crew
Director of the festival
Rimma Panina is an accomplished cinematographer, writer, and producer with a rich background in film production. She is currently spearheading an exciting new project, the International Slavic Film Festival, in collaboration with a diverse and trusted team of friends. This initiative aims to shift the perception of the Slavic world from Russian-centric to Slavic-centric and address the underrepresentation of Slavic culture in the US. In addition to her creative endeavors, Rimma enhances the academic and creative environment at Saddleback College as a laboratory technician in the Cinema, TV, and Radio Department, and supports female filmmakers as an event coordinator for the on-campus club LoFI. Her work organizing the LoFI Film Festival for the last four years further showcases her dedication to fostering talent and promoting diverse cultural narratives within the cinematic landscape.
Producer, host
Misha Suvorov is a trained actor from the city of theaters, Saint Petersburg, Russia. He graduated Sanford Meisner Center in 2016 and works on stage, TV and in film. Coming from an artsy soviet intelligentsia family, he enjoyed a privilege of having the best of what late soviet era of underground arts could offer. As of his acting style, Misha undertook Konstantin Stanislavski's method study and additional training in Mikhail Chekov's technique. In 2013 Misha arrived at Hollywood were he studied at Sanford Meisner Center of Los Angeles to learn an American way of acting. In 2024 his solo acting stage performance The Boarder won the Best of The Actors' group during the Hollywood Fringe festival.
Content Manager
Igor has been working in the movie industry for more than a decade, specializing in audio. Born and raised in Moscow, where his early life experience shaped his appreciation for art as a medium for social and political expression, he then moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a career in film and video production and honed his craft through former training in audio production in LA Film School and in
Partnership, sponsorship and accreditation
We invite you to join our network of partners in supporting a vision of peaceful coexistence and meaningful collaboration, transcending political agendas and conflicts of dominance.
DeepARTment, the organizational body behind thefestival, is a nonprofit charity powered by volunteers and donations from generous individuals and organizations. We are committed to helping creative immigrants rediscover their voices and express themselves in their new environments, alleviating the stresses of survival and cultural adaptation.
If you’re looking to engage with our audience through your products, services, or ideas, consider opportunities such as providing catering, coffee breaks, custom T-shirts and merchandise, or printing services. Your team could also volunteer to assist with greeting guests, preparing event spaces, or handling post-event cleanup. We’re always open to your suggestions for new ways to collaborate.
Join our "Thanks to..." list, see your banners, flags, and posters across the festival venues and your logo - featured in promotional materials and the festival program.
Your sponsorship of the festival is a tax-deductible charitable contribution. Your support allows us to produce more promotional content, publish impactful articles, and create powerful videos — each helping to shift perspectives on the consequences of war and amplify the call for peace, we all want to live in. Link your brand with the idea and image of a protecting shield.
By supporting DeepARTment, you indirectly foster opportunities for artists to enrich society through their work. DeepARTment exists to enable creators to produce more art, and art is the essence of what makes us human.
Let’s celebrate creativity as a force for peace and humanity— your support can help us achieve this.
We’re here to make your job easier! Our team is happy to provide information, ideas, interviews, stills, and videos to help you create compelling stories for your audience.
If you’re interested in using festival as a promotional opportunity for your media outlet, we’d love to discuss options for coverage in exchange for placing your logo on our flyers, banners, festival programs, website, ticketing platforms, and social media. Let’s collaborate creatively and establish a partnership that benefits us both.
Additionally, offering informational support to a nonprofit is considered a charitable contribution and may benefit your tax filings.
With our team of media professionals who understand the needs of your audience, working with DeepARTment is sure to be a smooth and rewarding experience.
October 4, 2025
251 Main Street, Los Angeles, California, 90012, United States
11 AM PDT.
We believe that when people create together, it becomes difficult to remain enemies.
Collaboration fosters trust, a sense of safety, and ultimately, happiness.