The 19th International “Salt of the Earth” Film Festival will take place in Samara from 14 to 18 September 2026. This year, organisers received more than 500 submissions from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Venezuela, China, India and Brazil. Thirty documentaries have been shortlisted as nominees and will compete for the main awards, while a further 35 films have been included in the non-competition programme.
TV BRICS is the international organisational partner of the film festival. As a special prize, the international media network will offer the best films the opportunity to be screened on its television broadcast.
The “Salt of the Earth” festival continues the traditions of the first filmmakers of the Volga region. The organisers aim to support, encourage and bring together documentary filmmakers whose films are produced to a professional standard and reflect universal human values.
The leitmotif of the competition entries at the 19th festival is a return to one’s roots and historical memory, as well as cultural and spiritual heritage.
Ivan Zakharenko, Head of the Thematic Broadcasting and Special Media Projects Department at TV BRICS and a film director, will serve on the jury and present the international media network’s new documentary “Earth. Lifelines” in Samara. The project addresses the global problem of land degradation and showcases ways of tackling it through the example of Russia. The film was created in support of the “Silk Road Caravan” initiative implemented in 2026 by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
A special TV BRICS screening will be a highlight of the festival’s non-competition programme. Audiences will see unique films by the international media network’s partners: “Whisper of the Wild Nature” (India, Innovative Film Academy), “My Sister Clara” (Brazil, director Diego Alexandre da Silva), “Yazd” (Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), “Charming Beijing!” (a joint production by TV BRICS, China Daily and the Press Centre of the People’s Government of Beijing), as well as an episode of the programme “Day of the Dead: Culture and Loyalty to Tradition” (Venezuela, teleSUR).
In 2026, the “Salt 2.0” film laboratory will continue its work, offering masterclasses in producing, cinematography and screenwriting for children and adults, as well as meetings between schoolchildren and filmmakers.
The “Salt of the Earth” Festival is held with the support of the Government of the Samara Region.