Festival finale and prize winners in Ivanovo
The fifth edition of the Russian Pilot festival, held from June 22 to 25, concluded in Ivanovo with the organizers announcing the 2023 winners at the closing ceremony. This year’s gathering brought together a mix of comedy, drama and suspense, spotlighting rising talents and established names alike.
In a show of broad audience appeal, the comedy series Mammoths claimed the top spot in the audience vote. The pilot episode of this project also earned the Press Choice award, a testament to its strong reception among critics and media outlets alike, including Kinopoisk. The jurors highlighted the series for its witty voice and memorable performances, underscoring its resonance with viewers across the country.
The festival’s best drama honor went to Cerberus, a costumed crime feature directed by Vladimir Shchegolkov. Jurors praised its stylish presentation, atmospheric storytelling, and the way it balanced tension with character depth, marking it as a standout entry in the festival lineup.
Among individual performances, Maxim Stoyanov was named best actor for his role in the detective film Black Sun, while Yevgenia Borzykh earned best actress for Kill Rita. The Best Ensemble award, recognizing a standout group performance, went to the comedy featuring Marina Alexandrova, Kuzma Saprykin, Olga Medynich, Mikhail Trukhin and Alexander Robak, a project honored with the Macron prize for its cohesive cast and energy.
Directorial recognition went to Dmitry Tyurin for his work on the pilot episode of The Burning Tour, a detective thriller in which he also co-starred with Alexander Robak and Timofey Tribuntsev. Tribuntsev himself received a special jury award for his contribution to the festival and the project.
The best screenplay prize went to the drama I Will Call, authored by Alexei Ivanov, who previously contributed to the TV series Fizruk and Peace! Friendship! Gum!. The film and series creators were acknowledged for their sharp dialogue and compelling narrative structure that propelled the story forward with clarity and impact.
In another highlight, The Third in Bed, a comedy featuring Boris Khlebnikov alongside Anna Mikhalkova, Alexander Robak and Lyubov Aksenova, was named the most anticipated series. The ensemble’s dynamic and playful interaction were cited as a key draw for audiences and reviewers alike.
Earlier in the festival circuit, participants in the Ural Music Night festival in Yekaterinburg had their own set of announcements, underscoring the broader calendar of events and cross‑festival collaboration across Russia. The Pilot festival continues to serve as a platform for emerging storytelling and performances, drawing enthusiastic crowds and industry attention from across the region. The program this year demonstrated versatility, ranging from lighthearted comedies to darker crime dramas, all anchored by strong performances and confident direction.
Festival organizers highlighted the importance of nurturing new voices while recognizing seasoned creators who bring distinctive style to screen. Attendees left Ivanovo with a sense of anticipation for the next edition, expecting bold projects, fresh talent, and further opportunities to showcase Russian cinema to national audiences and beyond, with coverage and commentary spanning major film outlets and expert rater networks such as Kinopoisk and others.