A Russian Film Festival will take place in Bahrain for the first time from September 18-20 at Reel Cinemas in Marassi.

The travelling festival is scheduled to be held in different countries, with Bahrain heading the list as the first host. Organised in collaboration with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bahrain and the Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities (BACA), the festival will celebrate Russian cinema and cultural heritage with an exclusive three-day programme.

The festival will present five acclaimed feature films,  two of which will be dubbed in Arabic with English subtitles with the remaining three will have Arabic subtitles, making them accessible to a wider regional audience. It will be held in cinema halls with a total capacity of 130 seats each. Over the course of three days, up to 650 viewers will be able to attend the screenings, and all screenings are absolutely free of charge. A dedicated website will be launched for online registration.

The opening ceremony on September 18 will feature the epic folk-inspired film Finist, The First Warrior, an epic fantasy about Finist the Falcon, the boldest hero of Belogorye. Finist sets off on a tough mission that will lead him to the mysterious Eastern lands. There, he will understand the simple truth – one can’t win without a team as he learns that true strength is not in standing alone, but in fighting together. The film which focuses on the East, showcasing its rich culture, will be shown in Arabic, with English subtitles.

Distinguished guests, including H.E. the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bahrain, senior BACA representatives and Elsa Antonova, General Director of ROSKINO – a government organisation representing the Russian audiovisual content industry in international markets – will inaugurate the three-day programme with their speeches.

This year’s programme presents four additional diverse films, each offering a unique cultural and cinematic experience:

1. The First Warrior (Arabic with English subtitles) – Will be screened on September 18 at 7pm.
2. The Spirit of Baikal (2023, dir. Michael Raskhodnikov, 88 min., 12+, Arabic subtitles) will be screened on September 19 at 3pm. The film showcases a heartfelt story of a boy, his father and grandfather who face a fierce Baikal blizzard. Through love and the mystical powers of nature, they overcome grief and rediscover family bonds.
3. Cats in the Museum (2023, dir. Vasily Rovenskiy, 83 min., 6+, Shown in Arabic with English subtitles) will be screened on September 19 at 12pm. An animated adventure where Vincent the cat and Maurice the mouse find themselves in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage. As the Mona Lisa arrives, Vincent must summon courage to protect the masterpiece, save the museum and win Cleopatra the cat’s heart.
4. Red Ribbons (2024, dir. Dmitry Belosokhov, 62 min., 6+, Arabic subtitles) will be shown on September 20 at 12PM. Set in 1944 Crimea, the film tells the story of young Nadia and the children of a German captain who paint ribbons for a wish tree. Hope and courage shine when the Soviet banner is raised, signaling the enemy’s defeat.
5. Hockey Dads (2023, dir. Andrey Bulatov, 131 min., 6+, Arabic subtitles) will be screened on September 20 at 3PM. A heartwarming family comedy where fathers step onto the ice to save their children’s stadium. Their determination proves that love, teamwork and courage can win the toughest battles.

“We are delighted to bring the Russian Film Festival to Bahrain for the first time,” said Elsa Antonova, the ROSKINO General Director.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen cultural ties, showcase the richness and diversity of Russian cinema and open new horizons for dialogue between our countries.”

The Russian Film Festival Bahrain continues to foster cultural exchange by bringing acclaimed Russian cinema to Bahraini audiences, offering family-friendly entertainment alongside timeless stories of hope, courage and resilience. Designed to introduce international audiences to Russian storytelling, cinematic innovation and cultural traditions, Bahrain’s edition promises to be both a cultural and cinematic highlight, offering moviegoers an immersive journey into Russia’s vibrant film industry.

This edition of the Russian Film Festival builds on the growing framework of cultural exchange between Russia and Bahrain. At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a dedicated session titled Russia–Bahrain was held in which Russia’s Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova participated. In 2024, the Days of Bahraini Culture in Russia took place with great success. Several upcoming projects will further strengthen these ties:

• Organised by Rosconcert: Bahrain Project on the Russian Language – a programme of concerts and lectures (approximately September 18–21).
• Organised by Russian Seasons, Bahrain:
  • November 12–13: Gala concerts of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet at the National Theatre of Bahrain.
  • November 14: Closing ceremony of the Russian Seasons in Bahrain with a concert by the Osipov National Orchestra of Folk Instruments at the National Theatre of Bahrain.

GO: Visit www.culture.gov.bh/en/ or www.roskino.org/eng for more information.