Director Stanislav Svetlov has unveiled his first feature, The Island, a project penned by Evgeny Baranov and Denis Osokin, which is set to represent Russia at the upcoming 4th International Children’s Film Festival in Beijing, according to a major Russian publication. The film’s selection underscores Russia’s commitment to presenting stories for younger audiences on a global stage, highlighting the country’s growing role in contemporary children’s cinema.
The festival’s main competition roster is diverse, featuring new titles from Brazil, Germany, India, Iran, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Chile. The lineup reflects a broad spectrum of perspectives and storytelling approaches, illustrating how family-centered narratives can cross cultural boundaries and resonate with audiences of all ages.
Centered on a twelve-year-old girl named Ada, the narrative follows her life in a small rural town in Russia as she matures, cultivates empathy, and learns the power of kindness. The film invites viewers to reflect on small acts of compassion and the everyday courage that shapes character, presenting a tale that is both intimate and universal.
Officials emphasize that the movie aims to deliver joy, tenderness, and warmth to audiences. It is described as a family film suitable for viewers of all ages and backgrounds, with a hopeful message about love and the human capacity to connect with others. The creators hope the screening becomes a moment of shared happiness that can be enjoyed in homes and community spaces alike.
In front of the camera, young performers take on the lead roles. Maria Kozhukhantseva portrays Masha, marking a significant step in her acting career, while Vsevolod Yarchevsky, who brings the character Vitya to life, transitions from music to cinema and demonstrates notable versatility as a multi-instrumentalist in addition to acting.
Supporting roles for the adult characters are performed by Olga Ozollapina and Mikhail Lozhkin, whose portrayals add depth and texture to Ada’s world, anchoring the story with warmth and authenticity.
The production is a product of the VGIK-Debut studio, produced with the backing of the Russian Ministry of Culture, which signals official support for bringing contemporary Russian youth cinema to international audiences and fostering new talent in the industry.
The festival will unfold in Beijing along with other Chinese cities and rural communities from March 1 to April 25. This marks a long-running event in China that has grown into an international platform since 2018, broadening its reach to showcase children’s films from around the world and to stimulate cross-cultural dialogue through cinema.
Earlier communications noted that a film with ties to the creator behind Tetris, Nikita Efremov, is also slated to be screened at a festival in the United States, underscoring ongoing collaborations and opportunities for Russian storytellers to reach audiences abroad.