How the work of Belarusfilm is arranged: what the film studio shoots and whether it is possible to get on a tour

Belarusfilm National Film Studio in 2026 continues to work in several directions at once: it shoots game and television projects, develops documentary and animation films, builds scenery and conducts excursions. We tell you how the main film studio of the country works, what films are in production and what you need to do to get behind the scenes.

What is included in "Belarusfilm"

Today "Belarusfilm" is not only filming pavilions. The structure of the film studio includes studios of feature, documentary and animated films, as well as the theater-studio of the film actor.

The main production site is located in Minsk. There are pavilions where scenery is created and films and television projects are filmed. Another natural site is located in Smolevichy. Production and technical services, a car depot and an exposition dedicated to the history of Belarusian cinema also work on the territory of the film studio.

Pavilions can be quickly turned into a variety of spaces – from a school classroom and a city apartment to historical interiors. For the filming of the series “Classics in retirement”, for example, three full-fledged apartments were built on the territory of “Belarusfilm”.

What projects are removed in 2026

In 2026, the film studio is working on several gaming and television projects. Among them are the film “Father Minai: Partisan Legend” and “New Year’s Story” based on the play of the winner of the National Literary Prize of Belarus. On September 10, the film “Unknown Subscriber” was released, on April 30 – the film “One for Two” about Heroes of Belarus Andrei Nichiporchik and Nikita Kukonenko. In addition, on October 8, the premiere of the animated film “The Wolf” will take place.

A separate direction is youth cinema. In the summer, shooting of the detective thriller “19.91” based on the work of the Belarusian author Andrei Fedarenko began at Belarusfilm. Directed by Kirill Khaletsky. The plot unfolds in 1991: the young heroes have to unravel the story associated with the treasures of Bactria and confront a dangerous criminal.

Filming takes place not only in the pavilions, but also on nature - in Minsk, Pukhovichi, Usyazh, Zaslavl, Rakov, Zhodishka and Berezino. The premiere of the project is planned to be presented in the format of a four-part story and a full-length film.

The film studio is also developing television production. On its squares, projects of Belarusian TV channels are filmed, for which special scenery is built and the technical base of Belarusfilm is used.

How the shooting goes

Work on the film begins long before the actors appear on the set. First, a script and a director’s concept are created, then actors, locations, costumes and props are selected.

For historical and retro projects, details are especially important: furniture, transport, clothing, signage and interior should correspond to the time of action. During the filming of the film “19.91”, the team specifically selected places that could convey the atmosphere of 1991. For mass scenes and episodic roles, an open casting was held.

On the site there are directors, operators, production artists, sound engineers, costumers, makeup artists, lighting and other specialists. Therefore, the film studio remains not only a creative, but also a large production complex.

Can I get on a tour

Yes, Belarusfilm conducts excursions for organized groups. On the official website of the film studio there are several programs.

The main excursion “Belarusfilm – cinema is shot here!” is designed for adults, children and mixed groups of up to 25 people. The duration of the program is 90 minutes, excursions take place on working days.

The program “Belarusfilm – Visiting the fairy tale” is provided for children. It introduces visitors to the creation of feature and animated films, includes film lectures, showing cartoons and visiting the film studio museum.

Another option is the excursion “Belarusfilm – time to return”. It is dedicated to military-themed films and includes a visit to an arms depot, a lecture and a viewing of the trailer for the film “Time to Return”. This program is held on working days and Saturdays.

How to sign up

The tour must be agreed in advance with the film studio. To clarify the free dates, program format and cost, please call +375 17 377 15 05. It is better to specify the current conditions immediately before visiting, since the schedule and composition of excursion programs may change.

Visitors can be shown the exposition area, museum, pavilions, scenery, props, costumes and other elements of film production. At the same time, access to the existing film set depends on the work schedule and security requirements.

Can I get to the movies

To get to the shooting as a spectator or participant of mass scenes is sometimes possible through open castings. In 2026, for example, the project “19.91” received thousands of applications, after which some of the candidates were able to take part in the filming.

However, tour and casting are different formats. The tour allows you to learn about the history of the film studio and see its production infrastructure, and participation in the shooting requires a separate selection. For children, the consent of parents or legal representatives is required.

What the visitor will see

During the tour, you can learn how films are created - from the script and the preparation of scenery to filming and editing. The museum exposition presents materials about the history of Belarusian cinema, and in the pavilions you can see the scenery and elements of props.

Sometimes the route depends on the current work of the film studio. If there are shootings in the pavilion, visitors can be shown another site or told about the production without access to the closed area.

The film studio retains the role of the main platform of national film production. Game, documentaries and animated films, television projects, youth and historical films are created here.

In 2026, Belarusfilm tries to combine work with national themes and modern genres – from family stories and New Year’s paintings to youth detective and military drama. For viewers, this means the emergence of new projects, and for visitors – the opportunity to see how the cinema is created not on the screen, but in real pavilions.

Photo: BelTA, Belarusfilm