In this interview with Chic Icon during the Russian Film Festival 2024 in Dubai this December, Elsa Antonova, the CEO of ROSKINO, shares her insights into the evolution of this cultural initiative that has been captivating global audiences since its inception. The Russian Film Festival has grown from a virtual event in 2020 to a celebrated platform for showcasing the diversity, depth, and artistry of contemporary Russian cinema across the world.
This conversation explores the festival’s milestones, its role in fostering international collaborations, and how it adapts to the unique cinematic cultures of various regions while staying rooted in Russian tradition. From highlighting emerging talents to promoting intercultural dialogue, Elsa reveals how ROSKINO is paving the way for a stronger global presence of Russian cinema. Join us as we delve into the vision and future of the Russian Film Festival in this exclusive feature.
How has the vision of the Russian Film Festival evolved since its inception in 2020? What milestones are you most proud of in its journey so far?
Let me begin by highlighting that ROSKINO is the legal successor of the Sovexportfilm organization, which, during Soviet times and beyond, organized numerous film festivals worldwide and even owned cinemas in several capital cities. Since 2020, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, we have revived this tradition, bringing Russian films to audiences across the globe. Initially, due to pandemic restrictions, we held only online screenings in four countries: Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and Australia.
In 2021, we expanded to include both offline and online festivals, significantly broadening our reach to Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and CIS countries. Within each country, we increased the number of cities hosting the events. From the outset, our goal has been to introduce foreign audiences to contemporary Russian cinema. While Soviet cinema is widely remembered and respected, modern Russian films are lesser known. Through the festival, we aim to showcase today’s Russian filmmakers, their stories, and the themes they explore.
Over time, especially with the introduction of offline formats, the festival has also evolved into a platform for professional exchange—bringing together Russian and foreign filmmakers, fostering collaboration, and facilitating dialogue. We are particularly proud that our events have strengthened international partnerships within the film industry. A major milestone has been our integration into prestigious global film festivals, such as screenings at the Beijing Film Festival in China and the SCO Festival in India. Since 2020, we have hosted festivals in 37 countries, multiple times, and reached an audience of over 8.8 million viewers.
What is your process for curating the films featured in the festival? How do you balance showcasing popular hits versus highlighting emerging filmmakers or experimental works?
We strive to include a diverse range of genres in our festival programs to appeal to the widest possible audience. Our selection features dramas, adventure films, thrillers, fairy tales, and animated films for younger viewers. Last year, we also included documentaries and TV series in our online screenings.
The curation process is a collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. We ensure that emerging directors, auteur cinema, and films from various Russian regions are not overlooked. For instance, at a recent festival in the UAE, alongside blockbuster hits, we featured Triumph, a drama by Yakut director Mikhail Lukachevsky, which represents Yakut cinema.
Similarly, at festivals in other countries, auteur cinema has always found a place in our lineup. Russia is a country of immense diversity, with multiple cultures, religions, and ethnicities. Our goal is to showcase the richness of Russian filmmaking and introduce international audiences to new talents, including actors, directors, and producers from across the nation.
Each country has a unique cinematic culture. How do you tailor the festival experience to resonate with audiences in different regions while staying true to the festival’s Russian roots?
Cinema is a universal language, and our experience has shown that Russian films resonate with audiences worldwide. Many nations share similar values and grapple with the same human concerns. Even comedies—often considered challenging to export—have been warmly received.
Our films explore themes of love, dreams, friendship, and perseverance, which are universally relatable. Foreign audiences frequently describe Russian cinema as deep and spiritual, a reflection of the profound influence of Russian literature and poetry.
Moreover, Russian films are technically outstanding, with high production values and excellent visual effects, thanks to our well-developed film industry and skilled professionals.
We also consider regional preferences. For example, in Brazil, audiences appreciate Andrei Tarkovsky’s work, so we included the documentary Andrei Tarkovsky. A Cinema Prayer in our program there. In Brazil and France, auteur cinema is particularly beloved, so we focus on including such films in those countries. In India, musical films, fantasy, and adventure genres are popular, and we adapt our selection accordingly.
What role do you see cinema playing in fostering cultural understanding between Russia and the countries where the festival is hosted? Can you share any stories of impactful collaborations that emerged from past events?
Cinema has always served as a cultural bridge between nations. Our festival has become a platform for connecting Russian and foreign filmmakers through both cultural and business interactions.
A testament to these connections is the continuation of our festivals in various countries. The success of our initial events led to repeated editions, as we saw strong audience interest and support from local administrations and cinemas.
Additionally, after successful festivals in India and China, we arranged for reciprocal screenings of their films in Russia, further fostering cultural exchange. These collaborations demonstrate cinema’s ability to build lasting partnerships and mutual understanding between nations.
How does the festival promote diversity within Russian cinema, including voices from underrepresented regions or communities within Russia?
By including films from young directors, regional filmmakers, and female directors in our programs, we bring the diversity of Russian cinema to the world. For example, during the UAE festival, Yakut director Mikhail Lukachevsky presented his film, allowing audiences to experience Yakut culture, language, and traditions for the first time.
Through such initiatives, we highlight the immense talent within Russia’s many communities, introducing global audiences to new stories, perspectives, and creative voices.
What are your long-term goals for the Russian Film Festival, and how do you envision its role in the global cinematic landscape over the next decade?
Our long-term goal is to continue expanding the festival’s reach, attracting more viewers, and strengthening cultural and business ties between Russia and other nations. We aim to facilitate joint film projects and explore new formats of cooperation within the global film industry.
Another key objective is to support Russian film and animation companies in exporting their content internationally. As the recognition of Russian cinema grows, more distributors are acquiring our films for theatrical releases, foreign TV channels, and online platforms.
What was the overarching theme of the Russian Film Festival held in Dubai this year? Were there any standout films or events that garnered particular praise from the audience?
For the 2024 Dubai edition, we curated five films. Four of them were major hits that had already captivated millions in Russian cinemas: Chebi.My Fluffy Friend, Guest from the Future, The Challenge, The Bremen Town Musicians. These films had previously been released in Middle Eastern cinemas, where they received a warm reception. We included them as part of free screenings for viewers who may have missed them.
The fifth film was the Yakut sports drama Triumph. All five films were met with enthusiasm, with full cinema halls and positive feedback from audiences.
As the festival continues to grow internationally, what message do you hope global audiences take away about Russian cinema and culture?
Our message is that contemporary Russian cinema, while deeply rooted in its rich Soviet heritage and cultural traditions, is vibrant and evolving. It continues to produce meaningful films created with love and respect for its audience.
We believe that cinema will always fulfill its mission to bridge cultures, foster dialogue, and open new horizons for cooperation between nations.
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