Alexei Medvedev, a film critic and curator recognized for shaping top Russian film festivals, was reported missing in July 2023 and later found deceased in the Moscow Region. Local search and rescue teams, including the Lisa Alert unit, confirmed the discovery of his body near railway tracks. The news emerged after a period of uncertainty about his whereabouts and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the ongoing investigations in the region.
According to reports from Basisrandom, a Telegram channel that shared updates from residents and observers, Medvedev’s body was located near railroad corridors, suggesting a search effort that spanned several days and involved regional authorities. The channel attributed the finding to volunteers and local witnesses who monitored the search and provided timely information as the case unfolded. This development marks a tragic chapter in the life of a prominent figure in contemporary Russian cinema who had been active across multiple festivals and programming roles.
The timeline around the disappearance placed Medvedev in Mytishchi, just outside Moscow, with the last known contact occurring on or around July 23, 2023. His vanishing sparked concern within the film community, as colleagues and audiences awaited news about his safety and the events that led to his disappearance. The era of his work included influential programming and organizational duties that connected Russian cinema with international audiences, underscoring his role as a central figure in festival ecosystems across the country. The case therefore drew attention not only to the personal tragedy but also to the networks that support and celebrate film culture in Russia.
Medvedev was widely recognized for his leadership roles across several prestigious events. He helped organize the Sakhalin festival Edge of the World and served as the program director for the Message to Man festival in St. Petersburg. He also guided the program for the Mirror festival and contributed to other significant projects, including the Two in One festival from 2009 to 2012. His curatorial work extended to international venues as well, with involvement in the Russian cinema program within the Les Cinémas du Monde section at the Cannes Film Festival, and curating the Russian short program at the Ajyal International Film Festival in Doha. His influence spanned multiple continents, reflecting a career that bridged national milestones with global showcases. He was also a member of international juries at film events in Pilsen, Cluj, Krakow, and Warsaw, underlining his standing within the global cinema community.
In related coverage, a separate report noted a milestone in a different European film festival scene, describing how the head of Locarno, a major Swiss festival, was notable for achieving the position as a woman leading the festival for the first time. This context highlights ongoing shifts in leadership within prominent film institutions, even as the Russian festival landscape faced its own recent upheavals and tragedies.