“Adults” direction. Ekaterina Todorovskaya
Where and when to watch: In Okko – in 2025
The Pilot program this year showed an unusually weak lineup, yet it carried a strong undertone of nepotism that rubbed through several titles. Notably, Sergey Minaev and Andrey Zolotarev contributed to the provocative drama Give me a show! (produced by Zolotarev), alongside the debut of Ekaterina Todorovskaya, daughter of director and festival staple Valery Todorovsky. Todorovsky’s projects often appear outside competition, though the family connection isn’t necessarily inherited. Give me a show! unfolds with a peculiar intensity that invites viewers to question what they’re watching. The screening section offered little suspense, making Adults one of the calmer experiences on display.
Despite the lack of dramatic action, the series earns its charm through dialogue and atmosphere. It feels more assured than Todorovsky’s Earlier work In Two, with strong performances from Danila Kozlovsky and Alexander Petrov coming across as natural and effortless. The narrative follows three close friends in a portrait that echoes contemporary stories about elite circles, yet the setting is intimate—centered in a cozy cabin rather than a grand school. The ensemble cast includes Stasya Miloslavskaya, Anastasia Talyzina, and Maria Matsel, and the series has lingered in the mind for its understated resonance rather than flashy complications.
“Curious Varvara,” direction. Yuri Korobeinikov
Where and when to watch: At Wink – in September
The runaway success of the Manyunya series, based on Narine Abgaryan’s stories, foretold the arrival of something alike to Curious Varvara. This is a bright, child-centered detective tale in the tradition of the Black Kitten and Astrid Lindgren’s playful adventures about Kalla Blumkvist: ten-year-old Varvara Smorodina (Polina Ainutdinova) uncovers mysteries in Verkhovoy while staying with grandparents who previously served in law enforcement. The premise offers both wit and danger as the summer unfolds for Varvara and her sister.
The project is steered by Karen Oganesyan (known for Survival Game and Passengers) and Yuri Korobeinikov, director of Words of a Child, with the camera work drawing on the sensibilities of Tosca-like whimsy paired with a modern lens. Visually, Curious Varvara sits at a crossroads between Wes Anderson’s lightness and a touch of159Asteroid City’s oddball charm, yet without the latter’s solemn gravity. The tone mixes warmth and unease, so the show lands more pleasantly than not, while occasionally delivering a spine-tingling moment. The storytelling leans into a hopeful, almost protestant, vibe that Varvara wears as a badge, a willingness to chase clues and wear a sense of adventure—fitted for a younger audience but appealing to viewers of all ages.
“Killer Holiday” direction. Sergei Dyachkovsky
Where and when to watch: In Kion – from July 1
Dwelling on a fragile marital balance, Sergei Dyachkovsky’s filmic project follows a couple on the verge of divorce as they take a vacation in Turkey. Boris Khlebnikov’s familiarity with tender dynamics is evident in the way the two anchors, Anna Mikhalkova and Alexander Robak, navigate a relationship that teeters between affection and strain. The work blends black comedy with crime elements, hinting at a tone comparable to a darkly tinted Flight Attendant. The production does not shy from discomfort, including the effect of heavy drinking, and keeps a steady pace that suggests an eventual payoff beyond its pilot’s rough edges. The cast includes Lyubov Aksenova appearing via video call, while Robak’s on-screen presence showcases a familiar, almost roguish humor. The result is a film that invites both critique and curiosity as viewers anticipate the next chapters.
Initial fatigue from the premiere pairing gives way to occasional wit. Dyachkovsky’s Hitchcockian touches surface in moments of dark humor, with Stepan Devonin delivering a strong supporting presence. The first episode leaves audiences hoping for brighter weather in the episodes to come, as the characters push through tension toward resolution.
“Black Accounting” direction. Ruslan Danilevich
Where and when to watch: on TNT – unknown
The thread weaves from solidarity among three women to a fast-paced crime arc about transport workers fleeing from Vladivostok to Moscow with a stash of cash. Danilevich, known for Plague, keeps the action moving, and the pilot episode ends with a road movie cadence that hints at further developments in the plot. The characters are drawn with brisk sharpness: Kristina Kucherenko adds caustic bite, Marina Fedunkiv layers in sympathy, Larisa Baranova builds mounting anxiety, and Igor Grabuzov returns in a roguish vein. A sly nod from the show to The Jungle Book’s Kaa adds a playful texture to a serious premise. This TNT comedy leans toward a high-energy, kinetic experience that could become a breakout, even while its surprises remain modest and its momentum steady.