MOSCOW ALLOWS FILM PRODUCTION

Russia’s first virtual content market Key Buyers Event: Digital edition hosts the panel discussion on the state support of creative industries export. The speakers spill on resuming film production in Moscow.

The discussion featured  CEO of Roskino Evgenia Markova, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russian Federation Maxim Ksenzov,  head of Moscow department of Entrepreneurship and Innovations Alexei Fursin, Senior VP of “Russian Export Center”, CEO at “EXIAR” Nikita Gusakov, and head of Moskino, Moscow film commission Svetlana Maximchenko. The panel discussion was moderated by Susanna Alperina, Russian journalist, film and TV critic.

Maxim Ksenzov tells that the mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin has answered to the Ministry’s call to resume film production in the capital. Russian industry is impatient to go back to normal and keep creating content slate for both domestic and international markets, as the past few years saw a breakthrough of the national industry on the global scale.

“The content Russia offers now is different from that of several years ago. Production value is growing annually, which is proven by the figures. International box-office of Russian films tripled within the last four years, with over 90 titles theatrically released outside Russia in 2019. National content travels across over 120 countries vs. 23 a couple of years ago, with 25% year-on-year growth in international sales before pandemic. Roskino aims to become the umbrella  structure that will unite and coordinate the efforts of the industry and opportunities from the state partners to keep expanding at the global market. Turning Russia into a transparent and reliable partner for international companies is one of our major goals”, says Evgenia Markova.

The Ministry of Culture supports national delegations at the key global film markets, including the national pavilion at Marche du Film, which might exist in online format in virtual Cannes this year. It aspires for no less inspiring results this year with the reformed Roskino, its new team and such strategic tools as Key Buyers Event.

Moscow government supports Moscow-based creative business represented by 9000 companies, 5000 of which are individual entrepreneurs.

“Film and animation export is one of our key priorities. Since 2019 we’ve been organizing Created in Moscow programme with 5 business delegations of Moscow-based companies to global film markets, which includes Annecy, TIFF, AFM, EFM and Kidscreen. As a result participants signed 60 export contracts worth over 7,1 million $ so far, and we still have more to come following EFM”, shared Alexei Fursin.

Apart from having elaborated the federal rebates initiative, Russian Export Center offers bank garanties for both contract sides, as well as provides loans to foreign buyer in case contract with a Russian partner is getting signed.

“Such financial tools and garanties are crucial for both sides of the deal at these unstable times”, adds Nikita Gusakov.

Moscow Film Commission is going to resume working with international film crews. Since being founded in 2018, the company assisted over 900 shootings, including “Yesterday” by Danny Boyle and HBO’s “Chernobyl”.

“We always welcome both national and global producers to film in Moscow, ready to assist in organizing filming locations and arranging all the formalities. We are happy to get back to work before the end of June”, says Svetlana Maximchenko.

Later in the day, after the discussion the Moscow mayor confirmed that lockdown, including ban on filming, ends in Moscow on the 9 of June. Since that date filming is allowed under condition of following the safety regulations. Cinema halls, however, stay closed.

Source: ：Roskino Org