The first ever Russian Film Festival is to be held in the UK. Internationally established young Russian filmmakers are to provide the portrayal of modern Russia.
      
      Academia Rossica, in collaboration with Sovexportfilm and the Russian Ministry of Culture is to present the first ever Russian Film Festival at Apollo West End on Sptember 27 till October 3.
      
      The traditionally Russian cinema focused on love, loyalty and individual responsibility is represented by such films as: Euphoria,directed by Ivan Vyrypayev and winner of the debut prize, the Small Golden Lion, last year at Venice, Travelling with Pets, released this year, by Vera Storozheva and the winner of the top prize at the Moscow Film Festival, Playing the Victim by Kirill Serebrennikov, The Island by Pavel Lungin and others.
      
      The festival is first of all aimed at British audiences and directors, and it hopes to form a link with The Times BFI London Film Festival. Still the 100 000 Russian community in London is also expected to be interested in the event.
      
      Russia’s Ministry of Culture and the British Council are hoping to make the festival a yearly event – despite the present strained political relations.
      
      www.apollocinemas.co.uk
      www.obshina.org