Creative meetings with directors of Arctic-themed films to be held at the International Arctic Forum

As part of the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, to be held on 26–27 March in Murmansk, the Innosocium Foundation, the social platform of the Roscongress Foundation, will organize special creative meetings with the participants of the ‘Soul of Russia. The Arctic’ project. The Forum is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation.

“The Soul of Russia project is aimed at actualizing the historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage of the peoples of Russia, strengthening the unity of the nation, and developing international humanitarian dialogue on the platform of common values. The screening of these films during the International Arctic Forum plays an important role: it helps us to gain a deeper understanding of the peculiarities of the region and its inhabitants, and highlights the heroism of those who dedicated their lives to the Arctic in different historical eras. The main purpose of these events is to draw attention to the Russian Arctic, its historical heritage, and its importance for the country’s development,” Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the International Arctic Forum.

Events will be held at the Sopki 21A Center for Contemporary Art at the Murmansk State Universal Scientific Library.

“The film programme of the International Arctic Forum 2025 will help strengthen national identity, promote cultural values, and unite generations around important historical dates and national symbols. Because it is a free event, this programme will be available to all residents of the Murmansk region and guests of the Forum. It is not just about films or animation; it is a part of the cultural mission of the biggest Arctic event,” Andrey Chibis, Governor of the Murmansk Region.

On 25 March at 12:00, a creative meeting called ‘Inspired by the Arctic’ will be held to mark the opening of the animation programme ‘Holidays in the Arctic’. Participants will meet Anna Popova, a production designer at the Soyuzmultfilm Film Studio, who has been working in the animation industry for more than 10 years. Anna will share fascinating stories about her travels around the Kola Peninsula, which inspired her to create the ‘Umka’ animated series, which came out in October 2022.

“The Arctic is a territory full of mystery and heroism, and cinema plays a key role in popularizing it. Our stories can and should inspire people to explore and cherish this unique region, forming a deeper understanding of the continuity of generations who have dedicated their lives to the North,” Anna Popova explained.

On 26 March at 14:00 the film ‘North Pole’ by Alexander Kott will open the programme of film screenings entitled ‘Soul of Russia. The Arctic’. The meeting will begin with a welcoming speech by Elena Marinina, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Chair of the Board of the Innosocium Foundation, and a special guest of the project, Vera Podguzova, Senior Vice President and Director of External Relations at Promsvyazbank. Alexander Kott will talk about the history of the film, which is based on real events in the 1960s, when the first Soviet nuclear submarine, the K-3 Leninsky Komsomol, went under the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean. In order to watch the film, please register here (in Russian).

“The ‘Soul of Russia. The Arctic’ screenings will launch a series of film projects timed to coincide with major international forums organized by the Roscongress Foundation. They give the residents of the regions, Forum participants, and our international guests an opportunity to learn more about films and animation projects inspired by the beauty of nature and people’s feats and deeds, reflecting the richness of the cultures, traditions, and values of the peoples of Russia,” said Elena Marinina.

“The art of filmmaking is an effective educational tool: through films we can preserve the culture and history of the multifaceted Arctic, which combines harsh beauty, majestic fragility, and the challenges associated with extreme weather conditions. The emphasis in the films is on human exploits, though the Arctic is not simply a backdrop, but an active participant in events, adding to the drama. The plots of the films will not leave viewers indifferent, but will help them to understand the importance of this distinctive region of tremendous opportunities,” Vera Podguzova said.

The final day of the creative meetings on 27 March will focus on the film ‘The Widows’ Village’. The scriptwriter and producer of them film is Olga Martisova, and the screening will start at 18:00. The film reveals the heroism of the inhabitants of the polar village of Varzuga during the Great Patriotic War. The release of the film is timed to coincide with celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory. It tells the story of widows who remained in the village after the war, and their devotion to the men who left for the front. In memory of them, the only folk monument in Russia was erected in the village, in which portraits of the widows are placed next to those of the men.

“The memory of the country is the memory of each of us. The small polar village of Varzuga with its steadfastness, courage and, strange as it may seem, songs, is a symbol of our huge motherland, which withstood the trials of the Great Patriotic War. This is what our film is about,” said Olga Martisova.

Please register here in order to watch the film.

Promsvyazbank is the partner of the ‘Soul of Russia. The Arctic’ project.

The 6th International Arctic Forum, with its slogan ‘To live in the North’, is a key platform for discussing topical issues related to socioeconomic development of the Arctic territories and the establishment of multilateral mechanisms for joint work to unlock and effectively develop the powerful resource potential of the Arctic region.