TEFI National Television Award Expands Candidate Pool Amid National Context
The TEFI National Television Award’s leadership has signaled plans to grow the roster of nominees, reflecting a wider push within Russia’s television landscape. Mikhail Shvydkoi, who leads the Russian Television Foundation Academy and serves as the Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation for the Russian president, outlined the move to increase the number of candidates during an appearance connected to TEFI in Yekaterinburg. His remarks were carried by TASS, the Russian news agency, and have since circulated in media circles as the latest development affecting the country’s top television honor.
The rationale offered centers on recent geopolitical developments and their impact on the media sphere. Shvydkoi emphasized that the current climate has prompted broader participation in TEFI, in part as a reflection of the heightened visibility and significance of screen content in the national conversation. He stressed that expanding the candidate pool is not a signal to loosen standards. Rather, it aims to ensure a more representative array of programs and performances across genres while maintaining the integrity and rigor associated with TEFI’s judging process.
During the visit to the TEFI show in Yekaterinburg, Shvydkoi clarified that while the broadcasting department may have entries specifically tied to recent events, this will not alter the core criteria used by juries to assess quality, creativity, and impact. The emphasis remains on evaluating artistic achievement, technical mastery, and the ability to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. The broader nomination plan is framed as a mechanism to showcase the breadth of contemporary Russian television and to recognize a wider range of talent and production value that has emerged in recent years.
In another part of his discussion, Shvydkoi noted that the timing of the TEFI competition is evolving. The organizers anticipated a shift in the schedule for 2023, with announcements guiding the public through the new timeline. The expectation is that the national television award will be officially unveiled in May, providing a clear window for nominations, industry participation, and a pathway to the ceremony itself. This adjusted cadence aligns TEFI with broader industry calendars and creates a predictable framework for teams preparing work for consideration.
Overall, the statements point to a TEFI that remains deeply connected to Russia’s television culture while adapting to wider political and cultural currents. The decision to widen the candidate pool suggests an intent to reflect more of the country’s diverse storytelling voices, technological advances, and production scales. It also signals a continued commitment to maintaining high standards in judging, ensuring that any expansion supports rather than compromises the award’s prestige and credibility. For participants and observers alike, the proposed changes underscore TEFI’s role as a barometer of excellence in Russian television, inviting a broader set of programs to compete for national recognition and resonance with audiences across the nation.