Spirit of Fire Film Festival

Дух огня

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Arts & CultureKhanty-Mansiysk
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsUnlike most major film festivals, which
Language["ru"]Currency: RUB
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Spirit of Fire Film Festival in Khanty-Mansiysk

Spirit of Fire is an international festival of directorial debut films held each winter in Khanty-Mansiysk, founded in 2003 by Soviet and Russian director Sergei Solovyov. It gives first features from new directors worldwide a competitive platform, judged by a jury of established filmmakers, and pairs screenings with retrospectives and industry discussions in Russia's oil-rich Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.

Khanty-Mansiysk is not a city most people would expect to host an internationally recognized film festival: it is the administrative capital of a sparsely populated autonomous okrug in Western Siberia, built on oil and gas revenue rather than a historic film industry.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike most major film festivals, which reward established directors, Spirit of Fire is built specifically around first features, a director's debut work, giving early-career filmmakers international visibility they would struggle to find elsewhere

02

The mystery stays covered

Its location is itself notable: Khanty-Mansiysk, the administrative capital of an oil and gas region with a relatively small population, has invested oil-revenue wealth into cultural infrastructure well beyond what a city its size would typically support, including purpose-built concert and cinema venues that host the festival

03

The city starts moving

Founder Sergei Solovyov, known for Soviet-era films including Assa, shaped the festival's identity around discovering new directorial voices rather than showcasing established festival-circuit names, and its winter timing sets it apart from the summer-festival calendar most European film events follow

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Not tied to an older folk tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

it is a modern institutional festival built around debut filmmaking

The sacred route

Living ritual

though its location connects it to the broader cultural investment made across Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug in showcasing the region's Khanty and Mansi indigenous heritage through parallel cultural programming

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Serious winter clothing is required outdoors: insulated boots, a heavy coat, hat and gloves rated for sustained sub-zero temperatures. Indoors, festival venues are heated and audience dress...

Safety

At Spirit of Fire Film Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Khanty-Mansiysk you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["ru"] · RUB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map61.00 N, 69.03 EOpen in Google Maps

Khanty-Mansiysk, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia

Nearest airportHMA — Khanty Mansiysk
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Khanty-Mansiysk you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Khanty-Mansiysk via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Khanty-Mansiysk, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearSerious winter clothing is required outdoors: insulated boots, a heavy coat, hat and gloves rated for sustained sub-zero temperatures. Indoors, festival venues are heated and audience dress is casual to smart-casual; nothing formal is required even for the awards ceremony.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Russia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Spirit of Fire Film Festival?

Spirit of Fire Film Festival is listed for Past edition: 12–16 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Spirit of Fire Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Khanty-Mansiysk, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLugra.world
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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