Olga Borisovna Lyubimova
MINISTER OF CULTURE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (EX-HEAD OF THE CINEMATOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
Cinematography Department at the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation,attaching great importance to the objectives of the St. Petersburg Mirovoy International Film Festival for attracting attention to Russia as a country with highly developed cinema that enjoys considerable state support,confirms its support to the organizersof such an important and relevant event in the cultural life of Russia.
Larisa Kuzhugetovna Shoygu
DEPUTY OF THE STATE DUMA OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The St. Petersburg Mirovoy International Film Festival is a large-scale and important event in both Russian and world cinematography. The Mirovoy project will open new horizons for the Russian audience as well as film students and cinematographers, promoting the growth of Russian cinema in all areas, from film production to screening and watching culture. The festival will definitely make a significant contribution to the development of the film industry as a branch of national economy. Of particular note is The Road to Life program,which will be held as part of the festival. The program is aimed at discovering and supporting young talents. Gifted childrenwho need social support, will receive a full chance to learnand realize their abilities and plans, and, most importantly, they will also receive knowledge and skills allowing them tomake a conscious decision on their future profession. The Road to Life program will give rise to a new generation of talented filmmakers in our country, capable of developingthe national cinema to a new level. I fully supportthe idea ofthe St. Petersburg Mirovoy International Film Festival and, in particular, the socially focused Road to Life program as part of this project.
Karen Georgievich Shakhnazarov
DIRECTOR GENERAL AND BOARD CHAIRMAN OF MOSFILM COMPANY
Thank you for inviting me to become a partner of the St. Petersburg Mirovoy International Film Festival. The Festival is bound to become a significant event in the cultural life of both St. Petersburg and the whole Russia.
Vadim Yusupovich Abdrashitov
FILM DIRECTOR, PEOPLE'S ARTIST OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, WINNER OF NIKA AND GOLDEN EAGLE AWARDS. PRIZEWINNER OF THE BERLIN, VENICE AND OTHER FESTIVALS, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NIKA ACADEMY, PROFESSOR AT RUSSIAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF CINEMATOGRAPHY (VGIK)
The Mirovoy Film Festival is a huge project. But it is not just another film festival. This is an event that will help to open new horizons for Russian audience, film students and filmmakers. Hopefully, Russian cinema as a whole, from film production to distribution, will benefit from it. Firstly, we should concentrate on the artistic and culture components. At the festival, retrospective shows renowned directors, meetings and lectures, distribution of educational literature and film-related multimedia will be held, which should help preserve and develop the national cinema heritage. The festival is bound to contribute to forming knowledgeable and cultural audience.
Oleg Stanislavovich Berezin
GENERAL DIRECTOR OF NEVAFILM JSC, FOUNDER OF THE HIGHER FILM ENGINEERING SCHOOL
The St. Petersburg International Mirovoy Film Festival is a large-scale event. The concept of the festival aims to attract attention to Russia as a film making country where the cinema art is appreciated and supported, where there is space to express artistic ambitions, to develop, to create and to move forward. Russia is able to influence the world cultural space, and holding the festival in St. Petersburg, Russia's cultural capital, best fits for such a task.
Holding a world-class film festival will raise the status of our country in the international film arena, helping to bring national film production to a new level, which will create additional jobs for our citizens, and will also attract tourists from all over the world. The festival will cover 123 countries, which will present their best works to the competent international jury and the audience. The festival will feature the world cinema map, demonstrating a complete set of current trends and innovations in film making. Roundtable discussions, meet-the-artist sessions and master classes organized as part of the festival, will give its participants, spectators and guests a chance to personally communicate with the world’s top film stars. These events will contribute to the artistic education of the participants, and will promote experience sharing for beginners, professional filmmakers and other cultural figures.
