The Nick National Cinematographic Award nominations for 2024 have been announced by the Russian Cinematographic Art Academy, presenting nearly 70 films across fiction features, documentaries, and experimental works. The slate signals a solid snapshot of contemporary Russian cinema, inviting audiences and industry peers to engage with a wide array of voices, styles, and storytelling approaches. The nomination process is crafted to highlight both artistic achievement and public participation, underscoring cinema’s role in cultural reflection and national dialogue. As described by organizers, the announcements point to potential impacts on careers, studios, and the broader film landscape across the country. From sweeping features to intimate docs and risk-taking experiments, the roster demonstrates the creative breadth and current concerns in Russian cinema today. The Academy emphasizes accessibility and transparency, ensuring viewers know how selections are made and what standards guide the process.
Official notes describe the list of works that competed for the 2024 Nick Award as both a record of finalists and a pulse check on the state of filmmaking in the region. The compilation serves as a visible record and a momentary portrait of where the industry stands now. Accompanying documents stress openness in how entries progress from submission to nomination, and they outline the criteria used to assess artistic quality and technical craft. For audiences, the list offers a curated cross-section of contemporary work, inviting discussions about themes, aesthetics, and the evolving language of cinema in the region. The report frames the nomination as a collaborative milestone for filmmakers, critics, distributors, and audiences to recognize notable achievements from the year.”
In the long list under Best Phenomenon, 67 titles are included. Among them are Master and Margarita by Mikhail Lokshin; Polish 2; Flying Ship; Love of the Soviet Union by Nikita Vysotsky; Onegin by Sarika Andryushchenko; Ice 3 by Yuri Khmelnitsky; Baba Mom Trap by Ivan Arkhipov; Hands! by Askar Uzabaev and Alexander Andryushchenko, and other works that push storytelling forward. The breadth of titles demonstrates a commitment to variety, from period studies to contemporary thrillers, and from intimate character studies to bold, experimental forms. Critics point to strong performances, distinctive visual language, and narrative risk across several entries, signaling a vibrant and evolving moment in national cinema. The long list acts as a bridge between production teams and audiences, inviting public discussion about which works resonate most and why. The range of voices represented reinforces the festival’s role as a mirror of society, culture, and imagination across the country.
Voting takes place in two rounds. The rules allow viewers to vote for up to five films in Best Film and up to three for professional nominations. This structure aims to balance popular engagement with professional assessment, ensuring selections reflect both public sentiment and craft excellence. The two-round process also creates space for conversation among fans, critics, and industry insiders, encouraging debates about thematic relevance, technical achievement, and the candidates’ contribution to cinematic discourse. By design, the system rewards thoughtful consideration and broad participation, while preserving the integrity of the final choices. Participants who cast votes are invited to weigh multiple performances and directorial approaches, helping illuminate why certain works stand out during the year.
The Nick Award began in 1988 as a national initiative to recognize artistic achievement and to foster a shared cultural memory through cinema. From the outset, the prize aimed to celebrate films that pushed boundaries, reflected social realities, and connected with diverse audiences. The establishment of the award helped shape standards for production quality, storytelling ambition, and collaboration across the industry, contributing to a more lively and engaged film ecosystem. Over the decades, the prize has grown in prestige and influence, becoming a benchmark for excellence within the national film community.
December 17, 1988 marked the first ceremony, honoring Russian films released in the previous year. The event established a tradition of publicly recognizing a wide range of cinematic work, from commercial successes to more experimental pieces, and it set a tone of inclusivity for future editions. Since then the Nick Award has evolved in response to changing technologies, distribution models, and audience tastes, remaining a beacon for artistic achievement in Russian cinema.
Previously associated with the Golden Eagle Film Award branding, the Nick Prize has continued to adapt its branding, governance, and emphasis while maintaining a clear aim: to honor films that resonate with viewers and contribute to the country’s cultural legacy. Today the Nick Award stands as a periodic checkpoint for evaluating the year’s cinematic accomplishments, inviting both retrospective reflection and forward-looking anticipation about what lies ahead for Russian filmmaking.