RT launched the II International Documentary Film Festival at the RUSSIA EXPO

The opening ceremony of the International Documentary Film Festival "RT.Doc: Time of Our Heroes" dedicated to the heroes of the SMO was held in Moscow at the International RUSSIA EXPO with a full house.

"I see many people, participants of the SMO in the audience now. I would like to bow to everyone. Here is a woman sitting behind me, who before the beginning of the festival turned to me and asked for an autograph for her son, who is now at the front. I'm the one who should get your son's autograph! Thank you all for everything you do," said RT TV editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan as she opened the festival.

"Together we have just honored the memory of those who defended the interests of our state at the cost of their own lives. But our task is to preserve the memory of these people for decades and centuries, and to pass it on to future generations. How can we do this? Specifically, by making films, creating plays and publishing books," said Deputy Defense Minister Anna Tsivileva.

Anton Filimonov, recipient of the Order of Courage, and Hero of Russia Vitaly Antonov spoke on behalf of the soldiers at the opening ceremony: "I would like to thank the war correspondents who are doing a colossal job, a job first of all at the risk of their lives. This is an information war, this is the second front, the front on which they must definitely win".

The opening ceremony included a musical and poetic program with the participation of cultural figures: the Zveroboy and Nashi bands, poets Vlad Malenko, Anna Dolgareva, Dmitry Melnikov, Dinara Kerimova, Dmitry Filippov (participant of the battles for Avdeevka), Olga Starushko. Musical accompaniment was provided by a symphony orchestra conducted by neoclassical composer Igor Skvortsov.

People's Artist of the Russian Federation Larisa Dolina performed the song "Russia is Us" and warmly welcomed the guests of the festival, participants of the SMO: "When our guys return with victory, and it is certain that they will return as winners, they will be involved in the creation of a new Russia and a new Russian culture. And we, creative people, should help them in every possible way". 

The event was attended by Oleg Moseyev, Deputy Head of the Main Military and Political Department of the Russian Armed Forces; Anna Kuznetsova, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation; Pavel Astakhov, honored lawyer of the Russian Federation, TV presenter, writer; Arkady Mamontov, journalist and TV presenter; Irada Zeynalova, TV presenter; Ilya Bachurin, producer and CEO of Mosconcert; Anna Roskoshnaya, actress; Scott Bennett, former NATO officer; Alexei Kariakin, Head of the Public Chamber of the LPR and Hero of the LPR; and others.

The opening film was a documentary by RT war correspondent Olga Kiriy, "Avdeevka. This is What War Looks Like" — poignant stories of the residents of liberated Avdeevka.

All films by RT documentary filmmakers are available on the 24-hour RTDoc channel, with most of its airtime devoted to films about heroes.

The main screenings of the festival will take place on June 29-30. More information about the program and registration is available on the official website. Attendance at all events is free of charge.

The International RUSSIA EXPO is the most important achievements of the country gathered in one place. Throughout the Exposition, cultural events, a rich business and educational program await the guests. The expositions of 89 Russian regions, leading federal agencies, corporations and public organizations are presented to the visitors. More than 17 million people have already visited the Exposition. The International RUSSIA EXPO takes place on the territory of VDNH in Moscow from November 4 to July 8.