Muscat - The inaugural edition of the Russian Film Festival in Oman will be held in Muscat, organised by ROSKINO in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Culture.
ROSKINO is a government organization representing the Russian audiovisual content industry in international markets to promote films, series, and animation, and the creative potential of Russia. It also promotes co-production opportunities.
Running from November 16 to 18 at VOX Cinemas, Mall of Oman, the festival marks a new milestone in cultural exchange and introduces audiences to a diverse showcase of contemporary Russian cinema, bridging artistic expression, storytelling, and shared human experiences across cultures.
The three-day festival presents a curated line-up of five films that highlight the richness and evolution of Russian filmmaking, spanning drama, folklore-inspired adventure, sports biography, family animation, and science fiction. Each screening is accompanied by Arabic or English subtitles. Two movies of the program, Finist. The First Warrior and Cats in the Museum will also have Arabic voice-over, ensuring accessibility for a wide spectrum of viewers and enabling audiences to explore universal narratives through a cinematic lens.
The Opening Ceremony on November 16 will invite the guests to experience the first movie of the program - Air, directed by Aleksei German Jr. The scenes are set during the war, where young female pilots arrive to join the battalion and experience what the battlefield holds for them. The movie transports the spectators to the breathtaking scenes of female pilots courageously facing the reality of war, showing their strength and resilience.
Honorable guests, including the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Oman and the Deputy Director of ROSKINO, will be opening the 3-day program with their speeches.
November 16
Air - The Opening movie (2023, dir. Aleksei German Jr., 151 min., 18+, Russian with Arabic subtitles) will be screened at 8:00 PM.
November 17
Finist. The First Warrior (2025, dir. Dmitriy Dyachenko, 100 min., 6+, Arabic with English subtitles) will be screened at 5:00 PM. This folklore-inspired family adventure follows Finist’s journey across Eastern lands, where he discovers the value of unity, friendship, and true strength.
Rowing for gold. (2025, dir. Artyom Mikhalkov, 107 min., 12+, Russian with Arabic subtitles) will be screened at 8:00 PM. A moving sports drama, the film charts a young athlete’s rise from post-war hardship to Olympic ambition, driven by perseverance and guidance from his coaches.
November 18
Cats in the Museum (2023, dir. Vasily Rovenskiy, 83 min., 6+, Arabic with English subtitles) will be screened at 5:00 PM. Set in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, this animated family film brings humour and heart as Vincent the cat embarks on a lively adventure to protect a treasured masterpiece.
Guest from the Future (2024, dir. Aleksandr Andryushchenko, 142 min., 12+, Russian with Arabic subtitles) will be screened at 8:00 PM. This sci-fi adventure bridges two eras as two teenagers from different worlds embark on a journey that celebrates courage, imagination, and friendship.
Elsa Antonova, General Director of ROSKINO, stated: “We are honored to launch the first Russian Film Festival in the Sultanate of Oman. This initiative celebrates the richness and contemporary diversity of Russian cinema and opens a meaningful cultural bridge between our two nations. We look forward to engaging Omani audiences, sharing compelling stories from Russia’s evolving film landscape, and building long-term opportunities for artistic collaboration and creative dialogue.”
The Russian Film Festival adds significant value to Oman’s annual cultural calendar, reinforcing cinema’s role as a bridge for cultural exchange. The event supports wider efforts to enrich the creative scene and introduce audiences to meaningful artistic and intellectual experiences, reflecting the rising interest in independent film initiatives and cinematic activities across the Sultanate.
To attend the films of the Russian Film Festival, register on the official website - https://rff2025.com/oman
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