Yugra — Center of the Film Industry
The region has become a place with all the 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 Khanty-Mansiysk. The festival was founded by director Sergei Solovyov, who also served as its first president, and since 2022 the presidency has been passed to Emir Kusturica. Over more than 20 years, not only the festival itself has evolved, but the entire region. It is now clear that the venue for this major film festival was not chosen by chance.
Talent for Creative Industries
Today, Yugra can rightfully be considered the center of Russia's film industry. It offers not only unique locations and conditions for shooting documentaries, feature films, short films, and series. Yugra became home to the country's first school of creative industries, established on the basis of the regional folk arts center in Khanty-Mansiysk. At its opening, Yugra Governor Natalya Komarova noted: "I consider this an extremely important direction. We were the first in Russia to formulate our own laws and concepts about creative industries." Similar schools later opened in Surgut and the Beloyarsky district. Disciplines taught include "Modern Electronic Music," "Animation and 3D Graphics," "Photo and Video Production," and "Design."
The course of study lasts two years. Specializations for working in the film industry are available at the Yugra College of Creative Industries, which offers programs in film and broadcasting, 3D design, and augmented reality.
By training highly qualified professionals, the region follows the approach of major international film hubs offering turnkey production: to work on a project at such a hub, you only need to bring a small film crew, while the needed specialists in lighting, editing, and special effects are already waiting on set.
A Powerful Cultural Code
Unique cultural features are a strength of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, which also positively influences the development of the creative cluster. The ethno-cultural code is in demand across all spheres — fashion, music, design, and urban planning. Yugra Deputy Governor Elena Shumakova emphasized at EEF-2023 that all these components are developing in the region. She also noted that companies are interested in retaining and attracting young creative talent to Yugra, which requires creating a quality environment for self-realization.
One of the largest projects in Yugra's creative industries is the International Film Debut Festival "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 promoting ethno-cinema in Russia and globally. In 2023, India became the guest country of the festival, and the result of the collaboration was joint film production. In 2024, the festival hosted the business program "The Special Language of National Cinematography of BRICS Countries." Representatives of the film industry from Russia, India, UAE, Egypt, Iran, South Africa, and other countries discussed prospects for joint film production, cultural and educational exchange programs, and the development of national film distribution.
Spirit of Fire Academy
The International Film Debut Festival "Spirit of Fire" has existed for more than 20 years, and in recent years it has entered a new stage of development. In 2023, the government of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug decided to operate the festival on a permanent, year-round basis — for this purpose, an autonomous non-profit organization "Spirit of Fire Academy" was established in Yugra. "We expect this new platform to facilitate the promotion of debut films and the enhancement of film professionals' competencies," noted regional head Natalya Komarova, pointing out the significant role played by the festival's communications partner — the Roscongress Foundation.
Unique Filming Locations
Numerous films have been shot in Yugra, both Russian and foreign. Among them, for example, is the acclaimed film "Liberia: Treasure Hunters" by director Gleb Orlov. The "Spirit of Fire" Film Festival is also an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in filming in Yugra to explore potential locations.
Economic Opportunities
Producers of films shot in the region can recover part of their expenses — up to 30 million rubles. Film companies can rent production facilities. Grants are available for individuals and legal entities for projects in creative industries, including cinema. Additionally, Yugra has established a film commission operating on a "one-stop-shop" principle, providing support services for film companies — essentially offering a turnkey production process.
The International Film Debut Festival "Spirit of Fire" has been held in Yugra since 2002. It is aimed at discovering and supporting young talented filmmakers and enhancing the role of Russian cinema in the development of international cultural ties of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug.
Khanty-Mansiysk
Khanty-Mansiysk is a modern, beautiful city, the capital of Russia's largest oil and gas producing region, located at nearly the same latitude as Saint Petersburg and situated at the very center of Russia. Its unique geographical position has made Khanty-Mansiysk a venue for major political, economic, and cultural events.
Over the past 20 years, Khanty-Mansiysk has undergone a dramatic transformation — striking architectural ensembles, fountains, and lighting design have made it a true gem of Siberia. The residents of Khanty-Mansiysk are proud of their city and carefully preserve its history, which spans more than 430 years.
Time in Khanty-Mansiysk is multi-layered. The city exists in two dimensions simultaneously: on the same street, architecturally unique 21st-century buildings stand alongside wooden houses from the early to mid-20th century.
There are no buildings taller than 6 stories in the city center. Two parks have been established — Victory Park with a memorial and Boris Losev Park with a fountain composition, crowned by the "Confluence of the Ob and Irtysh" fountain.
The Irtysh River wraps around Khanty-Mansiysk from the south and west. This great river possesses a powerful energy. In winter, the Irtysh freezes to a depth of several meters. In spring, when the river breaks free, city residents come to watch the ice drift.
The bridge over the Irtysh, built in 2004, received the unofficial name "Red Dragon" and became a symbol of Khanty-Mansiysk's accelerated development. The 1,315-meter-long bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Yugra capital.
The nature of Khanty-Mansiysk is truly awe-inspiring. The "Samarovsky Chugas" natural park is located directly within the city — an untouched corner of Siberian taiga with centuries-old cedars and spruces.
Khanty-Mansiysk loves sports: two ice palaces, a ski slope, Russia's leading biathlon center, a tennis center, swimming pools, and a water park have been built. The most visited site is the Archeopark cultural and tourist complex, featuring sculptures of mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, cave bears, and other prehistoric animals.
Khanty-Mansiysk is a green, clean city with excellent roads. You can drive from one end to the other in 15 minutes.
In the area of residential construction, Khanty-Mansiysk has its own distinctive style. New residential neighborhoods are integrated with roads and public spaces into a unified complex.
Modern shopping and entertainment centers have become a true adornment of the city's architecture, distinguished by their complex configurations and abundance of glass elements.
Just 8-10 years ago, life in Khanty-Mansiysk came to a standstill after 8 PM. Now, traffic on the central streets does not stop even at night.
Restaurants are open for visitors at night, offering Russian and European cuisine, and nightclubs and bars are operating.
The best thing to do at night in Khanty-Mansiysk is simply walk, admiring the illuminated buildings and the brilliant starry sky.
During the day, you can take city tours, visit local museums, go horseback riding, and in winter — dog sledding, snowmobiling, and various attractions.
Special ceremonies are organized for guests — an initiation into Siberians, where participants are offered raw moose or deer stroganina and traditional bread.
For lovers of active recreation, ski and downhill slopes are available. You can ride down the snowy mountain on tubes or "vatrushkas," as locals call them.
For those who cannot imagine life without sports, there are swimming pools, gyms, and fitness clubs.