On April 16, 2026, the opening ceremony of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival took place at the Rossiya Theater. Sergey Bezrukov received the first award of the festival – a special prize for excellence in acting and commitment to the principles of Stanislavsky's school I Believe. Konstantin Stanislavsky.
Alla Sigalova, Aleksey Uchitel, Pavel Derevyanko and Zoya Futs, Valeriya Gai Germanika with her daughter Octavia, Nastasya Samburskaya, Dmitriy Chebotaryov, Valeriya Astapova, Daniil Vorobyov, Aleksey German Jr., Ida Galich, Aleksandra Kiseleva, Darya Kalmykova, Zhenya Malakhova, Anna Banshchikova, Aleksandr Tsypkin, Irina Bezrukova, Svetlana Druzhinina, Lyubov Tolkalina, Kristina Asmus, Alina Alekseeva, Ekaterina Vulichenko, Kirill Zaytsev, Anna Eshchenko, Aleksandr Kott, Tikhon Zhiznevskiy, Maria Lemesheva, Alyona Babenko and Eduard Suboch, Evgeniy Sangadzhiev and Ksenia Andrianova, Darya Ekamasova, Ivan I. Tverdovskiy, Roman Evdokimov, Anna Snatkina, Yan Ge, Elena Zakharova, Alexander Martynov, Alexander and Polina Lazarev, Sofya Sinitsyna, Nikita Sanaev, Vladimir Kanukhin, Daniil Vershinin, Stacy Tolstoy, Avrora Kiba, Sergey Romanovich and other guests walked the red carpet leading to the theater.
Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, opened the ceremony by reading a welcome address from the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
"It is gratifying that this year’s program, as always, presents a rich palette of vivid and distinctive works by both acclaimed masters and emerging filmmakers, spanning a wide range of genres and styles. Participants can also look forward to professional and friendly conversations, open discussions, and lively debates on the trends shaping contemporary cinema – an environment where new ideas, joint projects, and creative initiatives are conceived", said the Head of State in his address.
The actor Daniil Vorobyov was the host of the opening ceremony of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, he noted that this year marks the 250th anniversary of the Bolshoi Theatre, where Sergei Eisenstein’s film Battleship Potemkin premiered years earlier.
"Battleship Potemkin and the Bolshoi Theatre are different by nature but they have a single spirit: both have demonstrated that Russian art can speak to humanity in the universal language of emotion and truth", the host noted.
Aleksey Fursin, Minister of the Moscow City Government, Head of the Department of Culture, then took the stage. He welcomed the guests and festival participants and read out a message from Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin.
"Over the past decades, the festival has won the hearts of Moscow people and has rightfully become an essential part of its cultural life. Moscow is an excellent venue for bright debuts and premieres, vibrant creative exchange, and boundless cultural dialogue. At the time of global challenges, such projects as this, with their history and traditions, offer a sound bridge, strengthening the bond between countries and peoples. By bringing together filmmakers from across the world, the Moscow Film Festival stays committed to the ideals of humanism, kindness, and truth", says Sergey Sobyanin in his message.
Aleksey Fursin also spoke about how the Moskino cinema cluster has been built in the recent years, having offered a place for active filming of Russian film projects. In addition, the film cluster is ready to work with international partners.
"We are now opening this site not only for Russian cinema but also for international projects, which is why it is of utmost importance to hold such festivals so that we can have more international projects based in Moscow and in Russian film studios", Fursin emphasized.
After that, the host Daniil Vorobyov introduced the awards of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, and the participants and jury members of the festival.
This year’s Short Film Competition features ten films from six countries. The winner will be selected by the Russian actress Kristina Asmus, the Japanese filmmaker Masaki Inoue, and the Greek director, actor, translator and theater director Georgios Kimoulis (Jury Chair).
Nine films will compete for the Best Non-Fiction Film title. The jury includes the Chinese director Pan Zhiqi, the Russian filmmaker Vladimir Golovnev, and the Italian director, screenwriter and producer Daniele Cini.
Seven films will be screened in the Russian Premiere Competition. The jury includes the actress Anna Banshchikova, as well as directors, screenwriters and producers Anton Maslov and Vladimir Kott.
Thirteen films are in the running for the Main Competition awards. The winners of St. George figurines will be selected by the popular Chinese actress and singer Jin Sha, the Turkish filmmaker Mahmut Fazıl Çoşkun, the Russian director, screenwriter and producer Ivan I. Tverdovskiy, the Spanish director Javier Rebollo, the Russian actress Darya Ekamasova, and Jury Chair Prasanna Vitanage, one of South Asia’s most talented and influential filmmakers.
As the tradition goes, the Jury Chair was awarded with the festival’s symbol – a chain embodying power, honor and dignity, featuring an image of St. George the Victorious. Together with the host Daniil Vorobyov, Prasanna Vitanage used a symbolic film firecracker to declare the opening of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
A special prize for excellence in acting and commitment to the principles of Stanislavsky’s school I Believe. Konstantin Stanislavsky became first prize awarded at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival. Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova awarded the prize to Sergey Bezrukov, actor, director, producer and artistic director of Moscow Gubernsky Theater and Moscow Gorky Academic Art Theater.
Fragments from films starring Bezrukov were shown to the accompaniment of Vladimir Vysotsky’s song "Picky Horses", performed by the lead singers of the Ethnosfera folk band.
"The modest visual sequence, brilliantly presented to follow this song's, does not fully convey, as young filmmakers say, the full depth of the roles you have created. A huge number of students are delighted that their mentor receives this award. And, surely, we are all looking forward to new roles – both on stage and in the theater", emphasized Olga Lyubimova.
Sergey Bezrukov noted that he had never thought about the award in his work, but he called the I Believe. Konstantin Stanislavsky prize the most important for any actor.
"No matter how many roles you’ve played in theater or films, the most important thing is that the spectator believes you. That is why we do not think about awards; we just keep working, take part auditions, where sometimes we don’t get the part – it’s all about fair play. You might think that if you got the I Believe prize, you’d get any part right away. No, you come to an audition, and there’s a young director who hasn’t seen this reel and is not planning to watch it. And you have to prove it to him too, you learn the lines, look him in the eye, thinking: "Take a good look! I haven’t really changed!" That’s why we keep working. And, most importantly, you still feel the thrill of the award. The moment you think: "Well, this is just another one, you might as well quit. So, students, the theater, or rather, the theaters, let's keep working, we work and we are proud that they believe you," said Sergey Bezrukov.
The opening film of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival was Alexander Kott’s drama Angels of War. The film was introduced by the executive producers Anton Zlatopolskiy, Vadim Vereshchagin, Anton Malyshev, Irina Malysheva, Natalya Kotkova, the director Alexander Kott, the cinematographer Sergey Astakhov, the screenwriter Mikhail Zubko, the composer Nikita Yamov, and the actors Tikhon Zhiznevskiy, Roman Evdokimov, Egor Alimov, and Leya Kott. The film is set in November 1941, as the Siege circle surrounds Leningrad, and a group of young ice yachtsmen ventures out onto thin, still quite weak ice. Their ammunition delivery assignment turns into an operation to save from an orphanage the kids who were not evacuated. Former rivals in sailing must now become a true team to survive and give hope to all others.
******
Russian Copper Company is an official partner of 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
Mercury Jewelry Company remains a partner of the Moscow International Film Festival, continuing its tradition of supporting Russia’s most significant cultural events, including cinema-related projects.
Mercury crafted the main prizes of the festival: the figurines of Saint George riding a silver horse and slaying a dragon with a spear. The Golden Saint George figurine is made of gilded silver and the Silver Saint George is crafted from silver. The foundation of the figurine featuring the Mercury golden logo is made from adder stone.
The Golden St. George is awarded for the best film in the competition program and for the contribution to world cinema. Winners in the seven categories are awarded with the Silver St. George.
VOYAH premium electric and hybrid car brand is an official partner of 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
MAER Media Holding is the communication partner of 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
Jury members and main female guests of the red carpet of the festival's opening looked splendid wearing Mercury jewels.
Anna Banshchikova enriched her look with Mercury earrings and a necklace from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Kristina Asmus chose Mercury earrings and a bracelet from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Darya Ekamasova enriched her look with a Mercury necklace from the Pearl collection, crafted in white gold with pearls, Mercury earrings from the Bonbons collection, crafted in white gold with rhodolites and diamonds, and a Mercury bracelet from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Alla Sigalova looked splendid wearing a Mercury necklace from the Flower collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds, and Mercury earrings from the Classic collection, also crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Lyubov Tolkalina chose Mercury earrings from the Art Deco collection, crafted in rose gold with diamonds.
Anna Peskova enriched her look with Mercury earrings and a bracelet from the Classic collection, crafted in white and yellow gold with diamonds.
Renata Piotrovski dazzled wearing Mercury earrings from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds, and a Mercury necklace from the Art Deco collection, also crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Anna Aleksandrova chose Mercury earrings from the Color collection, crafted in white gold and diamonds and rubies.
Stacy Tolstoy looked splendid wearing Mercury earrings from the Cluster collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds, and a Mercury necklace from the Classic collection, also crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Stay up to date with the latest news in the official website of the festival at:
https://fest.moscowfilmfestival.ru
And on VK https://vk.com/mmkf
Alla Sigalova, Aleksey Uchitel, Pavel Derevyanko and Zoya Futs, Valeriya Gai Germanika with her daughter Octavia, Nastasya Samburskaya, Dmitriy Chebotaryov, Valeriya Astapova, Daniil Vorobyov, Aleksey German Jr., Ida Galich, Aleksandra Kiseleva, Darya Kalmykova, Zhenya Malakhova, Anna Banshchikova, Aleksandr Tsypkin, Irina Bezrukova, Svetlana Druzhinina, Lyubov Tolkalina, Kristina Asmus, Alina Alekseeva, Ekaterina Vulichenko, Kirill Zaytsev, Anna Eshchenko, Aleksandr Kott, Tikhon Zhiznevskiy, Maria Lemesheva, Alyona Babenko and Eduard Suboch, Evgeniy Sangadzhiev and Ksenia Andrianova, Darya Ekamasova, Ivan I. Tverdovskiy, Roman Evdokimov, Anna Snatkina, Yan Ge, Elena Zakharova, Alexander Martynov, Alexander and Polina Lazarev, Sofya Sinitsyna, Nikita Sanaev, Vladimir Kanukhin, Daniil Vershinin, Stacy Tolstoy, Avrora Kiba, Sergey Romanovich and other guests walked the red carpet leading to the theater.
Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, opened the ceremony by reading a welcome address from the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
"It is gratifying that this year’s program, as always, presents a rich palette of vivid and distinctive works by both acclaimed masters and emerging filmmakers, spanning a wide range of genres and styles. Participants can also look forward to professional and friendly conversations, open discussions, and lively debates on the trends shaping contemporary cinema – an environment where new ideas, joint projects, and creative initiatives are conceived", said the Head of State in his address.
The actor Daniil Vorobyov was the host of the opening ceremony of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, he noted that this year marks the 250th anniversary of the Bolshoi Theatre, where Sergei Eisenstein’s film Battleship Potemkin premiered years earlier.
"Battleship Potemkin and the Bolshoi Theatre are different by nature but they have a single spirit: both have demonstrated that Russian art can speak to humanity in the universal language of emotion and truth", the host noted.
Aleksey Fursin, Minister of the Moscow City Government, Head of the Department of Culture, then took the stage. He welcomed the guests and festival participants and read out a message from Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin.
"Over the past decades, the festival has won the hearts of Moscow people and has rightfully become an essential part of its cultural life. Moscow is an excellent venue for bright debuts and premieres, vibrant creative exchange, and boundless cultural dialogue. At the time of global challenges, such projects as this, with their history and traditions, offer a sound bridge, strengthening the bond between countries and peoples. By bringing together filmmakers from across the world, the Moscow Film Festival stays committed to the ideals of humanism, kindness, and truth", says Sergey Sobyanin in his message.
Aleksey Fursin also spoke about how the Moskino cinema cluster has been built in the recent years, having offered a place for active filming of Russian film projects. In addition, the film cluster is ready to work with international partners.
"We are now opening this site not only for Russian cinema but also for international projects, which is why it is of utmost importance to hold such festivals so that we can have more international projects based in Moscow and in Russian film studios", Fursin emphasized.
After that, the host Daniil Vorobyov introduced the awards of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, and the participants and jury members of the festival.
This year’s Short Film Competition features ten films from six countries. The winner will be selected by the Russian actress Kristina Asmus, the Japanese filmmaker Masaki Inoue, and the Greek director, actor, translator and theater director Georgios Kimoulis (Jury Chair).
Nine films will compete for the Best Non-Fiction Film title. The jury includes the Chinese director Pan Zhiqi, the Russian filmmaker Vladimir Golovnev, and the Italian director, screenwriter and producer Daniele Cini.
Seven films will be screened in the Russian Premiere Competition. The jury includes the actress Anna Banshchikova, as well as directors, screenwriters and producers Anton Maslov and Vladimir Kott.
Thirteen films are in the running for the Main Competition awards. The winners of St. George figurines will be selected by the popular Chinese actress and singer Jin Sha, the Turkish filmmaker Mahmut Fazıl Çoşkun, the Russian director, screenwriter and producer Ivan I. Tverdovskiy, the Spanish director Javier Rebollo, the Russian actress Darya Ekamasova, and Jury Chair Prasanna Vitanage, one of South Asia’s most talented and influential filmmakers.
As the tradition goes, the Jury Chair was awarded with the festival’s symbol – a chain embodying power, honor and dignity, featuring an image of St. George the Victorious. Together with the host Daniil Vorobyov, Prasanna Vitanage used a symbolic film firecracker to declare the opening of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
A special prize for excellence in acting and commitment to the principles of Stanislavsky’s school I Believe. Konstantin Stanislavsky became first prize awarded at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival. Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova awarded the prize to Sergey Bezrukov, actor, director, producer and artistic director of Moscow Gubernsky Theater and Moscow Gorky Academic Art Theater.
Fragments from films starring Bezrukov were shown to the accompaniment of Vladimir Vysotsky’s song "Picky Horses", performed by the lead singers of the Ethnosfera folk band.
"The modest visual sequence, brilliantly presented to follow this song's, does not fully convey, as young filmmakers say, the full depth of the roles you have created. A huge number of students are delighted that their mentor receives this award. And, surely, we are all looking forward to new roles – both on stage and in the theater", emphasized Olga Lyubimova.
Sergey Bezrukov noted that he had never thought about the award in his work, but he called the I Believe. Konstantin Stanislavsky prize the most important for any actor.
"No matter how many roles you’ve played in theater or films, the most important thing is that the spectator believes you. That is why we do not think about awards; we just keep working, take part auditions, where sometimes we don’t get the part – it’s all about fair play. You might think that if you got the I Believe prize, you’d get any part right away. No, you come to an audition, and there’s a young director who hasn’t seen this reel and is not planning to watch it. And you have to prove it to him too, you learn the lines, look him in the eye, thinking: "Take a good look! I haven’t really changed!" That’s why we keep working. And, most importantly, you still feel the thrill of the award. The moment you think: "Well, this is just another one, you might as well quit. So, students, the theater, or rather, the theaters, let's keep working, we work and we are proud that they believe you," said Sergey Bezrukov.
The opening film of the 48th Moscow International Film Festival was Alexander Kott’s drama Angels of War. The film was introduced by the executive producers Anton Zlatopolskiy, Vadim Vereshchagin, Anton Malyshev, Irina Malysheva, Natalya Kotkova, the director Alexander Kott, the cinematographer Sergey Astakhov, the screenwriter Mikhail Zubko, the composer Nikita Yamov, and the actors Tikhon Zhiznevskiy, Roman Evdokimov, Egor Alimov, and Leya Kott. The film is set in November 1941, as the Siege circle surrounds Leningrad, and a group of young ice yachtsmen ventures out onto thin, still quite weak ice. Their ammunition delivery assignment turns into an operation to save from an orphanage the kids who were not evacuated. Former rivals in sailing must now become a true team to survive and give hope to all others.
******
Russian Copper Company is an official partner of 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
Mercury Jewelry Company remains a partner of the Moscow International Film Festival, continuing its tradition of supporting Russia’s most significant cultural events, including cinema-related projects.
Mercury crafted the main prizes of the festival: the figurines of Saint George riding a silver horse and slaying a dragon with a spear. The Golden Saint George figurine is made of gilded silver and the Silver Saint George is crafted from silver. The foundation of the figurine featuring the Mercury golden logo is made from adder stone.
The Golden St. George is awarded for the best film in the competition program and for the contribution to world cinema. Winners in the seven categories are awarded with the Silver St. George.
VOYAH premium electric and hybrid car brand is an official partner of 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
MAER Media Holding is the communication partner of 48th Moscow International Film Festival.
Jury members and main female guests of the red carpet of the festival's opening looked splendid wearing Mercury jewels.
Anna Banshchikova enriched her look with Mercury earrings and a necklace from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Kristina Asmus chose Mercury earrings and a bracelet from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Darya Ekamasova enriched her look with a Mercury necklace from the Pearl collection, crafted in white gold with pearls, Mercury earrings from the Bonbons collection, crafted in white gold with rhodolites and diamonds, and a Mercury bracelet from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Alla Sigalova looked splendid wearing a Mercury necklace from the Flower collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds, and Mercury earrings from the Classic collection, also crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Lyubov Tolkalina chose Mercury earrings from the Art Deco collection, crafted in rose gold with diamonds.
Anna Peskova enriched her look with Mercury earrings and a bracelet from the Classic collection, crafted in white and yellow gold with diamonds.
Renata Piotrovski dazzled wearing Mercury earrings from the Classic collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds, and a Mercury necklace from the Art Deco collection, also crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Anna Aleksandrova chose Mercury earrings from the Color collection, crafted in white gold and diamonds and rubies.
Stacy Tolstoy looked splendid wearing Mercury earrings from the Cluster collection, crafted in white gold with diamonds, and a Mercury necklace from the Classic collection, also crafted in white gold with diamonds.
Stay up to date with the latest news in the official website of the festival at:
https://fest.moscowfilmfestival.ru
And on VK https://vk.com/mmkf