The closing ceremony of the IX nternational Film Festival “Golden Tower” was held in the Palace of Culture of the town of Sunzha in Ingushetia.

The event was attended by representatives of the regional government and parliament, public figures, heads of executive authorities and municipalities, as well as journalists from regional media.

The festival jury consisted of well-known directors, cinematographers and artists of Russia, who selected films in two genres: fiction and documentary.

This year the jury members had to choose the winners from more than 50 films from over 10 countries. Many films from Russian regions also took part in the competition programme.

The Best Documentary Film prize was awarded to the film Millions for a Baby directed by Ilyas Bogatyrev from Moscow. The Best Feature Film prize was awarded to the film Don’t Bury Me Without Ivan directed by Lyubov Borisova from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

The Grand Prix was awarded to the film “Nuremberg” directed by Nikolai Lebedev (produced in Russia, Germany, Czech Republic and Great Britain).

The special prize of the festival’s organising committee “For introducing Russian viewers to national documentaries of the BRICS countries” was awarded to the TV BRICS International Media Network.

“The cinematography of Ingushetia is developing rapidly, and it is very important to support this process. Every year the festival expands its horizons, continuing to serve the noble mission of preserving cultural traditions and historical memory of the peoples”

Klim Lavrentiev The initiator and inspirer of the Golden Tower International Film Festival, Deputy Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia

“The geography of the festival participants this year included more than 10 countries, thanks to the efforts of our colleagues from the TV BRICS International Media Network, who gave the audience of Ingushetia’s cities the opportunity to get acquainted with films by filmmakers from India, Brazil, China and South Africa. I hope that our cooperation will continue in the future and that we will be able to present a special exclusive programme to such a significant organisation,” added the People’s Artist of the USSR.

The Golden Tower International Film Festival has been held annually since 2014. The festival’s goals are to develop creative ties both between filmmakers and viewers and within the film community in Russia and other countries; to strengthen the educational function of documentary and animated films and promote them to interested viewers.

Photo: Closing ceremony of the IX International Film Festival “Golden Tower”