List of themes for documentary films eligible for Russian state grants slashed

The number of topics for documentary films eligible for state grants has been reduced, according to a recent statement from the Ministry of Culture. The seven approved themes this year, which include combatting terrorism and international relations, see last year’s figure of 19 approved documentary themes slashed to under half. Under existing rules, only films that fit into the framework of the proposed topics stand a chance of receiving a grant. The marked decrease in topics is a result of reduced funding at the Ministry of Culture.

Sergei Miroshnichenko, member of the Ministry of Culture’s documentary film department, considers the reduction in themes to be conducive to creativity. “Narrowing the topic can boost creativity. Two directors can create two completely different movies on the same topic,” Miroshnichenko said. “There can be seven topics, 40 topics, it doesn’t matter — as long as the films are good. How many years have we had the category ‘Films about nature and environmental issues’, but we’ve never had any good films produced on this subject. We have few free-thinking artists and few films that engage with contemporary problems. The main stream is full of grey movies, that’s what scares me.”

This year, documentaries of up to 30 minutes are eligible to receive up to 1.2m roubles ($19,438); films of up to 40 minutes or more can receive 2.5m roubles ($40,495); special projects can receive between 2.5m to 7m roubles ($40,495-$113,396); and debut films could receive up to 1m roubles ($16,198). In all cases, the amount allocated by the state cannot exceed 2/3 of the estimated cost of the film.

The list of approved themes includes:

Films about the history of the success of industry, business and social activities

Films about Interethnic relations

Films with a military-historic theme

Films about combatting extremism, terrorism, crime and corruption

Projects that mark the Year of Literature

Films about medicine and the health of the nation

Debut picture