The 12th International Film Festival “Cinema without Barriers” has launched in Moscow. The programme includes feature films, documentaries, and animated works about people with disabilities – about 100 paintings from 26 countries in total.

Over its more than twenty-year history, the festival has become one of the major events in the sphere of social cinema, having received tens of thousands of applications from different countries around the world.

Viewers will have the opportunity to watch a diverse selection of films depicting the lives of people with disabilities, showcasing how they overcome challenges and pursue their goals and happiness.

The festival venue has been adapted to ensure an accessible environment. During intervals between screenings, attendees can participate in workshops and discussions with the filmmakers.

Additionally, screenings will feature works created by directors and actors with disabilities.

According to the festival director, Denis Rosa, there has been an increase in the number of films in Russia addressing the themes of the festival.

“For the first time, we will show so many – more than 40 works by Russian cinematographers, and this cannot but please. It seems to me that this reflects the changes that are taking place in society in relation to people with disabilities,” she said.

Meanwhile, jury chair and director Aleksander Kott emphasised that “Cinema Without Barriers” is a competition where there are no losers.

“By the very fact of making these films, their authors have already won. I am looking forward to watching all the films and wish all the filmmakers good luck,” he remarked.

The “Cinema without Barriers” festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

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