Translated with AI
The opening of the first "friendship cinemas" showcasing films from CIS countries will take place in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This was announced by Fyodor Sosnov, Executive Director of the Cinema Fund, at the session "Cinema as a Dialogue of Cultures: the CIS Today and Tomorrow" at the 11th St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures, according to the press service of the CIS Executive Committee.
"The first cinemas will open in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan—so-called friendship cinemas—where, within the available screening time, our films from the Commonwealth's regions will be shown," he noted. Sosnov added that a similar approach is being developed with other countries.
According to him, scaling up film exhibitions must be accompanied by the creation of infrastructure and digital distribution. "If we understand that each of our film industries is currently limited to the national market and has international sales potential, which is still smaller relative to the national market, then it must develop. <…> And here they very correctly noted that [this is happening] not only through offline distribution, but, thank God, we now live within the framework of digital platforms, and in this regard, it's even becoming easier," he noted.
Sosnov also emphasized the importance of film promotion. "It's not enough to simply post content on accessible resources. <…> It's an opportunity for marketing, promotion, telling the story of what's coming out, and maintaining a constant news agenda," he added.
