The region has become a place where there are all conditions for shooting feature films and great opportunities for film companies.
Since 2002, the International Film Debut Festival “Spirit of Fire” has been held annually in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk. The idea of creating the show was proposed by director Sergei Solovyov, who was also its first president, and since 2022, the post of president has been transferred to Emir Kusturica. For more than 20 years, not only the festival itself, but the entire region has improved. And now it is obvious that the location of the large-scale film festival was not chosen by chance.
Personnel for creative industries
Today Ugra can rightfully be considered the center of the Russian film industry. There are not only unique locations and conditions for filming documentaries and feature films, short films and TV series. It was in Ugra that the country’s first school of creative industries began operating, created on the basis of the district folk art house in Khanty-Mansiysk. At its opening, the Governor of Ugra Natalya Komarova noted: “I consider this an extremely important direction. You and I were the first in Russia to formulate our own laws and ideas about creative industries.” Later, such schools opened in Surgut and the Beloyarsky district. Here they study such disciplines as “Modern electronic music”, “Animation and 3D graphics”, “Photo and video production”, “Design”. The course of study lasts two years. You can get a specialty for working in the film industry at the College of Creative Industries of Ugra, where there are areas of film and television and radio broadcasting, 3D design and augmented reality creation.
By ensuring the training of high-quality personnel, the region follows the tactics of large international film hubs, offering a turnkey filming process: to work on a project, it is enough to bring a small film crew to such a hub, and the necessary specialists in lighting, editing and special effects creation will already be waiting on site.
Powerful cultural code
Unique cultural features are the strength of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, which also has a beneficial effect on the development of the creative cluster. The ethno-cultural code is in demand in all areas - fashion, music, design, and urban planning. Deputy Governor of Ugra Elena Shumakova emphasized at EEF 2023 that all these components are being developed in the region. She also noted that companies are interested in retaining and attracting young creative personnel to Ugra, and for this a high-quality environment for self-realization must be created. One of the largest projects in the field of creative industries of Ugra is the International Festival of Film Debuts “Spirit of Fire”.
International cooperation
The Spirit of Fire Film Debut Festival brings together representatives of the film industry from around the world. In recent years, the festival has gained significant support for the promotion of ethno-cinema in Russia and in the world. In 2023, India became the guest country of the film festival, and the result of the interaction was joint film production. In 2024, the festival will host the business program “The Special Language of National Cinematography of the BRICS Countries.” Representatives of the film industry from Russia, India, the UAE, Egypt, Iran, South Africa and other countries will discuss the prospects for joint film production, cultural and educational exchange programs, and the development of national film distribution.
Academy "Spirit of Fire"
The international festival of film debuts “Spirit of Fire” has existed for more than 20 years, and in recent years it has entered a new stage of its development - rebranding took place, interregional and international cooperation expanded, and new partners appeared. In 2023, the government of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug decided to operate the festival in a permanent, daily format of the Spirit of Fire Academy. “We expect that this new platform will ensure the implementation of activities to promote debut films, festival winning films, improve the competencies of film specialists, and conduct summer film schools for students from creative industries schools, students, and young filmmakers,” noted the head of the region, Natalya Komarova, and drew attention to that its communication partner, the Roscongress Foundation, played a major role in organizing the festival.
Unique locations
Many films have been shot on the territory of Ugra, both Russian and foreign. Among them, for example, is the acclaimed film “Liberia: Treasure Hunters” directed by Gleb Orlov. Most recently, the finalists of the ArtMasters Regions championship finished filming the short film “Mistress of the Mountain.” And last spring in Khanty-Mansiysk, the famous Indian director Gajendra Ahire began filming a film under the working title “Snow Flower”. “The magnificent views of Khanty-Mansiysk, the presence of a production base and the unconditional support of the district played in our favor,” says Alexey Elizarov, director of OTRK Yugra, about the Snow Flower project. The Spirit of Fire Film Festival is also an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in filming films in Ugra to explore possible locations.
Economic Opportunities
Producers of films shot in the region can return part of the money spent - up to 30 million rubles. Film companies can rent production facilities. Grants are provided for individuals and legal entities for projects in the field of creative industries, including cinema. “We are really pleased to welcome film companies to Ugra,” emphasized Margarita Kozlova, director of the Ugra Department of Culture. — Increasingly, film companies are asking for material and technical bases, and such a base operates in Ugra. We support film companies that are ready to come, take advantage of these facilities and film here using our equipment.” In addition, a film commission has been created in Ugra based on the “one-window” principle, which provides support work for film companies from the selection of actors and contractors to the resolution of administrative issues, that is, the filming process can be organized literally “turnkey”.
The international festival of film debuts “Spirit of Fire” has been held in Ugra since 2002. It is aimed at finding and supporting young talented filmmakers, increasing the role of Russian cinema in the development of international cultural relations in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug.
