Photos: Russia in Focus – Five Award-Winning Short Films Captivate Paris Audience

The Festival du Film Merveilleux & Imaginaire continued its tradition of cross-cultural cinematic exploration with a special Russian showcase that took place on October 14th at the Russian Spiritual and Cultural Orthodox Center in Paris. The event featured five remarkable short films that pushed the boundaries between reality and imagination, drawing enthusiastic crowds to the prestigious venue at 1 quai Branly.

Cultural Bridge Through Cinema

Since its inception in 2010, the Festival du Film Merveilleux has been dedicated to showcasing magical and fantastical cinema from around the globe. With films from 36 countries across five continents in its history, the festival has consistently served as a cultural bridge connecting audiences with stories from all around the world.

This special Russian focus event, organized in partnership with the Russian Spiritual and Cultural Orthodox Center, offered Parisian audiences a rare glimpse into contemporary Russian imagination through a diverse program of animated and live-action short films.

Award-Winning Selection

The showcase featured five distinctive works, each bringing a unique perspective to fantasy filmmaking:

“Tweet Tweet,” directed by Zhanna Bekmambetova (Best Film 2018), delighted audiences with its dialogue-free animation exploring the friendship between young Luba and a fearless sparrow. The film’s metaphorical tightrope walk served as a poignant reminder of life’s precarious balance and the human capacity to overcome limitations.

“Hymn of the Plague,” by directors Alexander Epikhov, Dimitri Gorbaty, and Philipp Ivanov (Music Prize 2025), took viewers into an old Soviet recording studio where musicians encounter mysterious disturbances while recording a Pushkin-inspired composition.

“Siren,” directed by Dasha Charusha (SFX Prize 2025), reimagined what happened after Andersen’s Little Mermaid became sea foam, creating a supernatural continuation of the classic tale that captivated the imagination.

“Son,” another work by Zhanna Bekmambetova (Jury Prize 2025), moved many to tears with its touching portrayal of a father’s dedication to his wheelchair-bound son, finding inspiration in an unlikely connection to Mars.

The Franco-Russian fiction “La Louve,” directed by Svetlana Trébulle, rounded out the program with its dark tale of Victor, a solitary Parisian whose obsession with his grandmother’s folk tale takes a sinister turn when he learns of mysterious wolf attacks in Russia.

Strengthening Cultural Ties

The event exemplified the mission of both organizing bodies, the Festival du Film Merveilleux & Imaginaire’s commitment to discovering and connecting emerging cinema talent, and the Russian Spiritual and Cultural Orthodox Center’s dedication to promoting Russian culture and fostering French-Russian dialogue.

This partnership allowed us to showcase the richness and diversity of contemporary Russian cinema in a setting that honors both the artistic and spiritual dimensions of Russian heritage. These films demonstrate the universal language of fantasy and imagination, transcending cultural boundaries.

To be continued.

For those interested in learning more about the festival’s program or upcoming events, inquiries can be directed to [email protected].