Winners of the "Heroes of a Great Country" film award were announced at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The final of the 3rd National Film Award "Heroes of a Great Country" was held on 12 February at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event focused on projects that shape the image of the hero, contribute to the upbringing and development of young people, promote traditional values and respond to today’s global challenges. The awards ceremony brought together representatives of public authorities, the film industry, the expert community, business and youth organisations.

The Deputy Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects, Alexander Zhuravsky, presented the award in the category "Dreams of the Future". The winner was the film "One Good Day".

"We are an extraordinary country — and if there is one thing we have always known how to do, it is dream. We have always carried an image of the future in our hearts, because a country that cannot dream cannot exist. We dream, we fly into space, we master nuclear power and the Arctic, and we do it in a romantic and selfless way, in our own distinctive manner. This is where our great strength lies," Alexander Zhuravsky said.

The "Grand Golden Star" for Best Film Project was awarded to "Lilies. Such a Tender Love". The prize was presented by the Chair of the Award Jury, the Plenipotentiary Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation to the Ural Federal District, Artyom Zhoga. He highlighted the importance of the film award for society and noted that the nominated films allowed audiences to immerse themselves in people’s stories and life journeys.

"When asked who a hero is for me, I can say this: at the 'Heroes of a Great Country' film award many people were named who truly deserve this title. Having spent more than nine years on the front line, I consider the greatest heroes to be our loved ones who wait for us during combat missions, living in uncertainty and anxiety. We risk our lives, while our families — mothers, daughters, fathers — worry and suffer from not knowing what will happen. My deepest respect to them. They are the real heroes who wait for us, care for us and pray for our lives and health," Artyom Zhoga said.

The winner in the category "Heroes Defending the Nation" was the film "At the Edge of the Abyss". The award was presented by the Director of the Information and Press Department and Official Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Maria Zakharova. She noted that cinema plays a major role in shaping public consciousness and preserving the memory of heroic deeds.

Heroes are shaped by the times that bring them to us. During the pandemic, it became clear who the heroes were — doctors in white coats, nurses, those performing operations and saving lives. Then history turned another page, and we saw heroes of military courage — our soldiers and officers, who in battle demonstrate bravery, unity, comradeship and a remarkable, genuine and sincere love for their country. There is also the home front, which finds the strength to help without stepping away from everyday life. And there are journalists and filmmakers who do not know how to fight or how to shield themselves from bullets, yet go and stand alongside soldiers in order to preserve these moments for all of us, so that we can later pass them on to future generations," said Maria Zakharova.

The award for "Best Screenplay" went to the film "Warsaw-21". The prize was presented by the General Producer of the Film Award "Heroes of a Great Country", Mikhail Churbanov.

"The value of the 'Heroes of a Great Country' film award lies in the fact that it is the audience who evaluates these projects. These films will be watched at home, in schools and at universities. And the most important outcome is that they will undoubtedly influence those who watch them," Mikhail Churbanov said.

Among the ceremony participants were Deputy Chair of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Anna Kuznetsova, Director General of the Internet Development Institute Alexei Goreslavsky, as well as other representatives of the state, film industry, content platforms, education and business sectors.

More than 500 projects were submitted for the award, with 55 films making the short list. Prizes were presented across 21 categories, including the "Golden Star" and the "Golden Gauntlet". During the two-day programme, experts discussed how to convey key national values and goals to audiences without clichés or moralising. The central focus remained the hero as a core element of storytelling and the formation of contemporary cultural identity.