Film projects dedicated to the unity of Russia's peoples presented at the National Centre RUSSIA
The National Centre RUSSIA hosted the "Wide Shot" film pitching session organised by the Tavrida.Art Cluster for the first time. Authors from different regions of the country presented concepts for future films dedicated to Russia's cultural legacy, historical memory and the diversity of its peoples to a panel of renowned experts. Among these projects, ten best ones will be selected and presented as part of the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg. The pitching session is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs, the Organising Committee of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia and the House of the Peoples of Russia.
The "Wide Shot" pitching session is aimed at identifying and supporting film projects with strong artistic potential that can contribute to shaping an image of Russia as a united multinational state with a shared history, culture and future. It brought together four thematic strands focused on creating relevant, profound and socially significant content: "Shared Cultural Legacy", "Unity of a Multinational People", "Shared Victories" and "The Cultural Code of Russia's Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples".
"The film industry is changing before our eyes — themes that were more often explored in festival and local cinema just a few years ago are now providing the basis for major box-office projects. I am talking about such themes as patriotism, historical memory, national identity, traditions, and spiritual and moral values. We are already seeing examples of such works both on the big screen and on online platforms. The interest generated by the "Wide Shot" pitching session among both authors and experts shows that the number and diversity of such media projects will only grow. Our task is to provide these projects with professional expertise, help their authors find partners and pave their way to audiences," said Ksenia Artemyeva, General Director of ANO Tavrida.Art.
More than 200 entries were submitted for the selection, from both film professionals and young authors just starting out in the industry. Thirty-two projects spanning different genres were selected for the pitching session at the National Centre RUSSIA. They all address key themes: courage, brotherhood, the diversity of cultures and traditions, civic consciousness and the shared destiny of our country.
The projects presented included fiction and non-fiction feature films and shorts, as well as series, including animated productions. Each work explores, in its own way, the traditions and cultures of Russia's different peoples, highlighting the importance of preserving them, fostering mutual respect and promoting cultural legacy. Some projects focus on people whose courage, talent, hard work and mutual support have contributed to the country's shared victories — on the battlefield, in sport, science and culture. One of the notable initiatives is the "Chronicle" cycle of documentary-fiction films about the history of Russia's regions. It is being developed by producer Ivan Golomovzyuk, together with creative producers and directors Nikita and Fyodor Kravchuk. Another interesting project was presented by the creators of the film "Scurvy". Director Vladimir Golovnev presented the documentary travel show "Initiation", in which the protagonists will experience the lives of Russia's indigenous small-numbered peoples and learn about their culture and way of life. Producer Jean Prosyanov presented the project entitled "Northerners", set in a small northern town above the Arctic Circle, where contemporary life intertwines with motifs from northern mythology.
"When we see the theme of unity of Russia's peoples developing across different socially significant areas, it becomes clear that the foundations for a new vision, a new perspective and a new approach to this issue are being laid right now. Platforms such as the "Wide Shot" pitching session are precisely the places where this perspective takes shape. I am very pleased that we are seeing more and more formats for open dialogue and the search for innovation: when we speak honestly and openly, even the most difficult issues can give rise to truly strong and interesting solutions," said Anna Polezhayeva, Head of the House of the Peoples of Russia.
The #SVOeKINO pitching session was also held at the venue. Now in its fourth year in Russia, it has become the country's leading showcase for upcoming military-patriotic films. This year, 29 projects developed by participants in the #SVOeKINO programme were presented at the National Centre RUSSIA, while a further 21 projects were presented by prominent film-industry professionals. They included Andrei Kretov, producer of the first feature film about the special military operation, "20/22", the war drama named "The Kid" and a number of other projects; producer, director, actor and screenwriter Grigory Sukhov; television journalist, documentary director, producer and public figure Oksana Barkovskaya; producer Maxim Korolev and others.
Almost all the ideas presented are based on real-life stories and address the special military operation. Some are at the screenplay development stage, while others have already begun filming. The authors of fiction and documentary films and series tell the stories of people involved in the special military operation, including those fighting on the front line, veterans of the operation, military medics, volunteers, rescuers and many others whose lives and destinies have been affected by the events of the special military operation.
One of the projects presented at the pitching session was the feature film "Bird", about a drone operator who used a drone he had designed himself to save civilians on the line of contact. The project was presented by its team, including Russian theatre and film actor and director Gleb Puskepalis and screenwriter Grigory Skryapkin.
More than 35 film-industry professionals took part as experts in the #SVOeKINO pitching session, including representatives of film studios and foundations, production centres, and producers from television channels and media platforms. Ten of the best projects will be selected and presented at the final pitching session during the International Youth Festival, which will take place in Yekaterinburg from 11 to 17 September.
A maintenance break is scheduled at the National Centre RUSSIA on 31 August, the final day of summer.
