Greek mythology Gelos is the divine personification of laughter, the most welcome of the gods, always owes its success to some novel subterfuge. This deity favourably and affectionately accompany everywhere the person who arouses and enacts his laughter, and he will never allow you to grieve in mind, but will implant continual joy on your countenance with his sunny elegance.
We hope you will join us in a days full of fun and endless laughs! We will highlight comedy short and feature films, web series, TV episodic, filmed sketch comedy, Dark Comedy, music video and animation with the goal of screening the best comedic content from around the world for a wide audience! Our dual emphasis is on “discovering” great comedic talent with the purpose of promoting it to both the entertainment industry and the Moscow public, as well as, showcasing the works of seasoned professionals and well-known stars. We are proud to showcase, connect and promote talented comedy filmmakers from all over the world.
Awards & prizes
All officially selected films will be shown online and offline on the big screen during the solemn final ceremony on April 05 – 06, 2025 in Moscow, Russia, and will be able to struggle for the main prize and the title of the “Best Comedy Film”. As well as for the prizes in the standalone nominations.
Best Feature Comedy Film
Best Feature Dark Comedy Film
Best Comedy Short
Best Dark Comedy Short
Best Alternative Comedy Short
Best Animated Comedy Short
Best Comedy Web Series Episode
Best Student Comedy Short
Best Funny Music Video
Best Fake Commercials
Best Mocumentary
Best Comedy Mobile New Media (Sketches, Skits and Vlogs)
Best Feature Film Screenplay
Best Short Film Screenplay
Best Comedy Actor
Best Comedy Actress
Best Comedy Director
Best Cinematography
Dates & Deadlines
Super Earlybird Deadline April 30, 2024
Spring Deadline May 31, 2024
Earlybird Deadline August 21, 2024
October Deadline October 16, 2024
Autumn Deadline November 30, 2024
December Deadline December 31, 2024
Late Deadline January 31, 2025
Spring Deadline March 1, 2025
Extended Deadline March 22, 2025
Notification Date March 25, 2025
Our team
Festival President Valery Shanin
Valery Shanin — journalist, writer and filmmaker, TV producer, director of “Valery Shanin’s film club”, president of international film festivals.
Head of Programming Slava Krasko
Slava was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, made a career as a financier and when he was 35 years old left the business to go on a round-the-world trip. He described his impressions of the trip in the book “The Year of Spring”. In 2014, Slava traveled by motorcycle across South America on the route of Ernesto Che Guevara and shot a documentary about it. Since 2017 he has been studying at the Higher Courses of Scriptwriters and Directors in Moscow.
Director Irina Spirina
Film Festival Development Manager Alina Fedulova
A graduate of the Faculty of Journalism at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbGU) with a specialization in “International Journalism”. At the film festival, she coordinates participants and develops partnerships. As a digital nomad, she combines traveling the world with organizing various international film festivals.