The list of the best Belarusian films ever made was put together by film experts and active filmmakers at the initiative of the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA). The list was prepared to mark the 100th anniversary of Belarusian cinema, celebrated on December 17 of this year.

The ranking includes 50 films, while a total of 174 titles were mentioned in the individual lists by the experts. The poll involved 49 participants, making it the most extensive survey on this topic to date in terms of both film representation and the number of contributors.

The 50 films with the highest number of votes are published on the BIFA website, accompanied by synopses, festival histories, and experts’ quotes. Individual lists from each participant—featuring Belarusian directors, film scholars, festival organizers, and international industry professionals—are also available.

The top spot in the ranking went to Elem Klimov’s anti-war drama Come and See, a joint production of the Soviet studios Belarusfilm and Mosfilm, which received votes from 26 respondents. Close behind, with 24 votes, was Andrei Kudinenko’s indie production Mysterium Occupation. Made in independent Belarus, it also depicts the partisan movement during World War II but from an alternative perspective.

Of the 50 films recognized as the best, 30 were made after the collapse of the USSR. The criteria of the poll allowed for films made by self-identified Belarusians anywhere in the world, as well as works created by any directors at Belarusian studios.

The history of Belarusian cinema traditionally dates back to December 17, 1924, the founding date of the Belgoskino studio (now Belarusfilm).