A special article dedicated to the late Mohydeen Kandour, legendary Jordanian cultural figure and co-founder of the festival’s spirit, celebrating his artistic legacy and the creation of the Mohydeen Kandour Award recognising outstanding debut filmmakers. (This article is based on the Arabic-language article published in the Middle East).

An editorial feature exploring the cross-cultural dialogue at the heart of SIFFA 2025 — bringing filmmakers, producers, and artists from East and West together under the theme “Cinema of Higher Values – Beyond Differences, Towards Dialogue.” (This article is based on the Arabic-language article published in Amman).

A detailed press release announcing SIFFA’s 10th anniversary and the upcoming festival dates in London (20–28 November 2025).

This article highlights the festival’s journey since 2016, its international mission, and the establishment of the Mohydeen Kandour Award in 2024. (This article is based on the Arabic-language article published in Jordan)

His Excellency Andrey Kelin, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom was the honoured guest at the closing night party of the SIFFA (So Independent International Film Festival) which ran between the 18th and 24th of November. His Excellency spoke of the need for continued cultural ties between the UK and Russia. Guests were treated to sumptuous cocktails and canapés at the Dear Darling Bar of Mayfair whilst being mesmerised by a trio of Georgian folk dancers performing the traditional ‘samaia’ dance. This was followed by a performance  of classical music of three virtuoso musicians who played Cinema Paradiso  by Ennio Morricone and For Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel.

The Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA) returns to London in 2024, set to launch on November 18th, with an enriched programme dedicated to the late Mohy Quandour. Known for his cross-cultural artistry and storytelling, Quandour’s legacy will echo through this year’s theme, The Bonds That Bind, in honour of his work connecting cultures through cinema. This remarkable tribute will transform renowned London venues into spaces of cultural dialogue, extending until the festival’s culmination on November 24th with a star-studded awards ceremony at Wonderville, London’s West End cultural hub.

The documentary film "Gypsy Billionaire" has recently made headlines by winning the highest accolade at the prestigious SIFFA UK Awards. This recognition highlights the film's impact and excellence in storytelling, resonating with audiences and critics alike...

The SIFFA UK Independent International Film Festival offers an international lineup of screenings and special events, providing British audiences with an unprecedented insight into the creative and inspiring world of cinema...

On April 17 at 7:30 PM, the London theatre Everyman Borough Yards will host a screening of Klim Shipenko’s film Salyut-7. Based on true events, the film tells the story of cosmonauts who must locate an abandoned space station and restart its systems to safely return to Earth. The event is organiSed by the team behind the SIFFA UK Independent International Film Festival..

FIRE is the debut feature film of Kazakh film-maker Aizhan Kassymbek. Lead actor Tolepbergen Baisakalov won Best Actor at the Sochi International Film Festival & Awards (SIFFA). FIRE premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea before travelling to FilmFestival Cottbus in Germany, the Singapore International Film Festival and the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles, where Baisakalov picked up the Snow Leopard for Best Actor...

From February 11 to 20, the international Russian-British film festival SIFFA takes place across various cities in England, featuring screenings of films from Russia and Kazakhstan, masterclasses by filmmakers, musical performances, and exhibitions. SIFFA founder and president Lyubov Balagova-Quandour met with Kommersant UK editor-in-chief Ksenia Dyakova-Tinoco in Cheltenham to discuss the festival’s significance in today’s world...

The 11th Russian-British SIFFA International Film Festival and IRIDA Film Awards will be held in the UK for the fifth time. The 11th Russian-British SIFFA International Film Festival and IRIDA Film Awards will take place from February 11 to 21, 2022, across six UK cities: London, Cambridge, Oxford, Cheltenham, Coventry, and Ramsgate...

Despite publishing 11 poetry books and holding a PhD in Literature, Luba Balagova has chosen to focus on reciting poetry as her primary form of creative expression instead of pursuing a traditional career in poetry. Balagova's decision to study journalism at Moscow State University was driven by her desire to explore literature...

Cheltenham Twinning Association in conjunction with the Sochi International Film Festival and Awards (SIFFA) is delighted to announce its launch event on Friday 10 September at 2:30 pm at Chapel Arts, Knapp Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3QQ. The launch is a precursor to the 6th annual film festival in Sochi, Russia, on 5-10 November 2021; AND the 4th SIFFA UK festival 11-20 February 2022 in London and Cheltenham...

Despite publishing 11 poetry books and holding a PhD in Literature, Luba Balagova has chosen to focus on reciting poetry as her primary form of creative expression instead of pursuing a traditional career in poetry. Balagova's decision to study journalism at Moscow State University was driven by her desire to explore literature...

Oscar-winning producer Stephen Mao (The Skin) at the Russian-British SIFFA Red Carpet Press Conference with SIFFA President Luba Balagova-Kandour and SIFFA Partner Aleksey Antropov on November 6, 2020...

Renowned Russian producer Natalia Ivanova shares her career experiences with SIFFA President Lyubov Balagova, reflecting on the lessons learned over decades of collaboration with the beloved actress and director Vera Glagoleva, along with her memories. She discusses the connection between the tragedies of World War II and the fates of the film's creators...

SIFFA is the largest Russian-British Open film festival in Russia which takes place in the Olympic city of SOCHI, Russia. This is the Sochi International Film Festival and Awards which aims to bring together filmmakers of Britain and Russia and the rest of the world together through the diversity of craft and story-telling...

At Ramsgate IFTVFest 2019 a new partnership was born with the twinning with Sochi International Film Festival & Awards. SIFFA Founder and President was our special guest at the Discussion Panel ‘Women in the Film and TV Industry – The Glass Ceiling’. This new collaboration will give Ramsgate IFTVFest the opportunity to expand its already international reach far beyond the screening of films and events in Thanet, UK...

The founder of the Sochi International Film Festival and Awards (SIFFA) wants to reconnect the people of Russia and the UK through a shared love of film. Luba Balagova Kandour, of Burfield Road, set up the event in 2016 with the aim of building a bridge between independent professional Russian cinema and the British filmmaking community...

Best-selling British Royal biographer and latter-day TV star Lady Colin Campbell is gracing the red carpet for the UK Gala Night of the Sochi International Film Festival and Awards (SIFFA) tonight (21 March2019) in London. Lady Colin is to present a SIFFA Award at the glittering bash in The City of London and will be accompanied by one of her two adopted Russian sons, Dmitri...

The 3rd Sochi International Film Festival and Awards took place from Dec. 11-16th, and it was a glamorous and glittering affair and showcased some amazing films, master classes and culminating in an awards show. Held in the beautiful resort town of Sochi, Russia, right on the Black Sea and at the base of the Caucasus Mountains (and home of the 2014 Winter Olympics), the festival has grown from strength to strength and this year had it’s the biggest year....

Kirill Razlogov, Artistic Director for the Sochi International Film Festival and Awards (SIFFA), will conduct a masterclass on low-budget filmmaking in Russia using the full feature Touch of Wind by producer Anastassia Razlogova as a case study. (SIFFA-2017 Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design)...

Dame Judi Dench has pulled out of making an appearance at a Russian film festival gala due to be held in London. The 83-year-old actor was billed as the star guest for the Sochi International Film Festival which will take place at the Soho hotel. But in the wake of increasing tensions between Britain and Russia, the Oscar-winner told organisers by email she would be unable to attend...

There isn’t much love between the UK and Russia these days, in the wake of the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, but while the war of words continues between the two governments, at a cultural level there is a determination to keep things friendly. So there was a good turn-out — and no embarrassing demonstrations — at the gala UK premiere of Artyom Mikhalkov’s 2016 film, Betting on Love, at the Soho Hotel’s screening room in Soho last night...

Russia is to host the first ever Sochi International Film Festival (SIFF) – an annual event taking place in the Olympic sea resort of Sochi in the Russian Federation, and set to run Dec 10-16, 2016. The new event was announced in Cannes by Russian cinema promoter Roskino. Designed with the ambition of creating a wide British and international audience for Russian film, and vice-versa; the festival is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the rich filmmaking talent found both in Russia and abroad, and to providing a platform for the sharing of knowledge between peers united together to harness film as a force for good...