The XIX International Student Film Festival "PeterKiT" began its work in St. Petersburg

For the 19th time, St. Petersburg State University of Cinema and Television holds one of the most respected student film festivals "PeterKiT". The event takes place during the VIII St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of St. Petersburg.

This year filmmakers from 147 schools from 29 countries took part in the competition. The geography of the contestants covers countries from South Korea to Brazil and Argentina. The jury of the festival is headed by Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation, Soviet and Russian film playwright, member of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, artist, film actor, film director, screenwriter Alexander Adabashyan. The artistic director of the festival is the Soviet and Russian scriptwriter, film director, playwright, actor, writer, member of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Viktor Merezhko.

The opening ceremony was attended by cultural figures, politicians and participants in the competition program. Among the guests were People's Artists of the Russian Federation Yuri Norshtein, Andrey Khrzhanovsky, Evgeny Gerasimov, Galina Bogushevskaya, Natalya Gvozdikova, Anna Aleksakhina, Honored Artists of the Russian Federation Georgy Martirosyan, Boris Smolkin, Yuri Kuznetsov and many others.

The festival was opened by the rector, professor, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, President of the PeterKiT festival Alexander Evmenov:

– Congratulations on the opening of PeterKiT! I hope everyone will enjoy the festival. The participants have a unique opportunity to receive the opinion of professionals about their work, to find out the level of work and receive recommendations from professionals, and the audience will have to see wonderful competitive works. Many of our graduates, before conquering world cinema, became PeterKiT laureates. Do not be afraid and achieve goals!

Alexander Evmenov read out the congratulations received to the festival from the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky and from the head of the cinema section of the VIII St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, director, producer Fyodor Bondarchuk.

– This prestigious festival has established itself as a prominent platform for demonstrating the potential of young people and embodying the most daring creative ideas during the St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum. The film screening traditionally gathers novice filmmakers and admirers of cinema art, offering an introduction to competitive films by students of creative universities in Russia and abroad.

This year, out of 371 films, 75 will compete for prizes and diplomas in 16 categories. The works will be evaluated by both a professional jury and the audience. The festival attracts the attention of not only students of creative universities, but also residents and guests of St. Petersburg.

Andrei Maksimov, chairman of the committee on science and higher education, congratulated everyone on the start of the festival and read out a telegram from Alexander Beglov, the governor of St. Petersburg.

The opening ceremony was attended by university students. They prepared colorful performances for guests. Almost all of them were accompanied by a series of films about St. Petersburg and films shot by graduates of SPUFT.

Elena Drapeko, Russian actress and deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, welcoming the members of the jury and participants of the competition:

– I want to say that the state is carefully peering at everything that happens in national cinema and trying to participate in its creation, supporting interesting projects. Cinema consists of two parts, creative and technical, they are equally important. I carefully look at you, because you are the future of our cinema, which, I hope, will be honest, bright, talented and fair.

Victor Merezhko didn't hide his emotions:

– I am happy to stand on this stage. This is the best student festival in the country. Even we ourselves want to be young again and take part in the competition. Remember that cinema is a powerful lever for educating the people, which over time, unfortunately, we have lost. But everything is in your hands. Good luck!

By the decision of the SPUFT Academic Council, artists and animators Yuri Norshtein, Andrei Khrzhanovsky, director Sergei Gerasimov, American producer Paul Brown and production designer, screenwriter and director Alexander Adabashyan were awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. Each of the masters gave a grateful speech, noting the importance of the existence of the festival as a launching pad for young filmmakers and emphasizing that St. Petersburg is a wonderful inspiring city in which it is difficult not to create.

Sergei Gerasimov shared his childhood memories in Leningrad:

– Today, short films and documentaries are more interesting than fiction. We give way to young filmmakers at this wonderful festival! And remember, it is important to be a person when making a movie. No way without it.

This is the 20th visit to our country for Paul Brown. American producer noted:

– Teaching here, I was surprised: people began to show essence, overcoming fear and isolation. They discovered the Russian soul. The world has become a dangerous place where we do not know each other. There is so much beauty in Russia that I want to show it to the whole world. The future stories in the movie depend on us, whether they will be funny or sad. It is important to think about the message to the world and what we want to pass on to the future generation.

Alexander Adabashyan recalled Marshak's quote about the future forest:

– Over time, I realized what this poem was about. Your works at the competition are different trees, someone will take root, someone will be cut down, each will have a different fate. Perhaps someday we will become contemporaries of those directors who changed the world, whose work does not seem important now. Only time will tell.

The last student performance to the applause of the audience and the long-awaited solemn moment: the beginning of the festival starts with a broken plate on a tripod. During the 6 days of the festival, PeterKiT will host round tables, master classes and film screenings of the competitive program. More details here.

For nineteen years the tradition continues, once laid down in a narrow circle by the teachers of our university. Since then, much has changed, the festival is growing every year and gaining a place among the most important festivals, receiving applications from around the world and attracting film industry professionals to the jury. We wish you not to miss the moment and absorb the experience of masters and colleagues, because the atmosphere in the country's oldest cinema university has this for it.

SPUFT Information Service