Jaroslavl, Russia Jul 14, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - On July 7, the XXI Within the Family International Family and Children's Film Festival concluded with a gala Closing Ceremony in Yaroslavl. Four days, 47 participating countries, 140 films, 17,300 cinema-goers, and more than 2 million online viewers who followed the festival's live broadcasts on the Russian social network Odnoklassniki—these remarkable figures defined this year's edition, once again transforming Yaroslavl into the world's capital of family cinema.
The festival is held with the support of the Rostec State Corporation, PSB Bank, and the Government of the Yaroslavl Region.
"The Within the Family Film Festival has once again demonstrated that cinema is far more than an art form—it is the most sincere universal language, one that allows people of different generations, cities, and countries to understand one another with ease. This was our first year partnering with the festival, and the fact that it takes place in Yaroslavl—the city where PSB's headquarters are registered—makes this collaboration especially meaningful for us. We witnessed how the festival brings people together, creates warmth, and inspires heartfelt conversations. We sincerely hope this wonderful tradition continues to grow stronger each year."
said Anna Gruzdo, Director of Marketing at PSB Bank.
For the first time in the festival's history, the Opening Ceremony connected not only cities across Russia but also audiences around the world. Live broadcasts linked 18 countries and nine Russian cities, allowing participants from Argentina, Uruguay, Egypt, India, Italy, and many other nations to greet one another in real time. It was a powerful demonstration that the Within the Family Film Festival has become a truly global cultural event.
During the Closing Ceremony at the Millennium Concert and Entertainment Centre, members of the international jury announced the winners and presented the festival's highest honors—the signature Peter and Fevronia of Murom statuettes, named after the Orthodox patron saints of family, love, and fidelity. The Main Competition Jury was once again chaired by People's Artist of the RSFSR Stanislav Lyubshin.
Festival Awards
The jury presented awards across four competition programs covering both feature-length and short films. Twenty nominees from around the world joined the ceremony online to await the announcement of the winners.
The Grand Prix of the Main Feature Film Competition was awarded to the Iranian drama Whisper My Name.
The Best Film Award in the Children and Youth Feature Film Competition went to Russia's first motivational children's feature, The Karate Kid, directed by Aleksey Alfyorov. The film also received the award for Best Sound Design. The prizes were accepted by actor and producer Roman Kurtsyn, who stars in one of the film's leading roles.
The Best Director Award in the Main Competition was presented to Maksim Koliganov for To Grandpa's Village 2. The award was accepted on behalf of the film's co-producers by Yana Karushkina, Director of the Yaroslavl branch of VGTRK.
The Audience Award in the Main Competition went to the Belarusian feature The Barrel, starring Til Schweiger and Philippe Reinhardt.
The Russian Guild of Film Scholars and Film Critics Award was presented to Philip Rules.
In the Children and Youth Feature Film Competition, among the winners was the Indonesian film Onward: The Bitter Trail of Kembang Gula, marking Indonesia's first participation in the festival.
The Best Film Award in the Main Short Film Competition went to the Italian production CrossRoad.
In the Children's Short Film Competition, the top prize was awarded to the Russian film Parental Control.
Academy Award member and Main Feature Competition juror Shadmehr Rastin announced that beginning next year the festival will introduce a new award for Best Original Screenplay. The decision reflects the festival's continued growth and its recognition of screenwriting as an artistic achievement deserving its own distinction.
International Jury
This year, the festival's competition programs were judged by distinguished filmmakers and industry professionals from Russia, China, South Korea, and Iran.
Feature Film Jury
The Feature Film Competition jury was chaired by Stanislav Lyubshin (Russia), acclaimed stage and screen actor, People's Artist of Russia, and recipient of numerous state honors.
Joining him on the jury were:
- Aleksandr Galibin (Russia) — People's Artist of Russia, actor and director, recipient of the Presidential Prize for his contribution to Russian children's cinema;
- Natalia Primakova (Russia) — President of the Russian Guild of Film Scholars and Film Critics;
- Gavin Lee (China) — producer, Secretary General of the Franco-Chinese Association of New Cinema, NETPAC member, and Executive Committee member of the BRICS Association for Children's Film and Education;
- Sook-hee Moon (South Korea)—film director, writer and artist; recipient of literary awards and a regular participant in international film festivals;
- Shadmehr Rastin (Iran) — screenwriter, producer, professor, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars).
Short Film Jury
The Short Film Competition jury was chaired by Viktoria Fanasyutina (Russia), a TEFI Award-winning director and screenwriter whose films have received more than thirty national and international awards.
The jury also included:
- Ivan Kapitonov (Russia)—screenwriter, director, and producer of acclaimed films including Summer, Passion for Matthew, Tin Head, and the television series Food Block;
- Dimitr Todorov (Russia)—film and television producer, founder and CEO of Greenwich Production, member of the Russian Filmmakers' Union and the Producers Guild of Russia;
- Nikoloz Bezhuashvili (Russia) — producer and director whose short film The Choice has won more than ten international awards across Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Creative Meetings
One of the festival's greatest highlights was its series of creative meetings with celebrated actors and filmmakers. Every venue was filled to capacity as audiences gathered not only to watch films but also to meet the people behind them.
Following the success of The Karate Kid, actor and producer Roman Kurtsyn met with festival audiences to discuss the film. Speaking candidly, he reflected on how deeply personal the project had become for him, explaining that many elements of the story were inspired by his own life experiences—one of the reasons, he believes, the film resonates so strongly with young audiences.
In one of the meeting's most memorable moments, Kurtsyn demonstrated how he had overcome fear by calmly kissing a live cobra, leaving the audience both astonished and delighted.
Another unforgettable event was the audience meeting with Fyodor Dobronravov, Artistic Director of the Nationwide Program Within the Family and star of To Grandpa's Village 2. Sharing stories from the production, he spoke warmly about the importance of family, the bonds between generations, and the values that continue to unite people regardless of age. The audience responded with prolonged applause and was reluctant to let the beloved actor leave the stage.
Industry Programme
On July 5, the festival hosted an extensive industry program that brought together representatives of the cultural sector, the clergy, the business community, public authorities, media organizations, and leading content creators.
The forum focused on one of today's most pressing issues: emotional burnout, the search for inner resilience, and the role of the family as the strongest source of support in modern life.
The program's central event was a plenary session featuring Metropolitan Kliment, Fyodor Dobronravov, and festival president Alexander Kovtunets. Together, they discussed ways of overcoming personal and professional challenges, maintaining emotional resilience, and why the family remains the foundation of support, faith, and inspiration.
One of the most popular sessions was presented by the Integration Production Centre, whose speakers shared personal experiences of maintaining emotional well-being while balancing demanding professional careers with family life.
Another highlight of the forum was a presentation by Natalia Spekhova of Enlightenment Publishing House, titled "Creativity as a Resource." In her talk, she explored how creative expression can help professionals prevent burnout, restore emotional balance, and maintain psychological well-being in an increasingly demanding world.
A significant event within the program was the joint session organized by the festival together with the Second Russian Civilizational Forum "Unity of Nations." During the session, Yulia Shpak presented a report examining state policy as a tool for strengthening unity among the peoples of Russia.
The program also featured an open discussion with the Marchenko family, the Viktorov family (Two Parents), and Yaroslavl-based blogger and psychologist Yulia Kozlova. Their conversation focused on family values, raising children, and building meaningful relationships with audiences in the digital age.
Festival participants also enjoyed a series of interactive workshops, including sessions on neurographic art and the creation of personalized therapeutic fragrances designed to promote emotional well-being. Guests were also invited to visit the exhibition Legends of Russian Animation, which was toured by Academy Award-winning animator Aleksandr Petrov.
Festival by the Numbers
The XXI Within the Family International Family and Children's Film Festival set new records this year:
- 47 countries represented in the competition programme;
- 18 countries connected live during the Opening Ceremony;
- 140 films screened throughout the festival;
- 17,300 spectators attended screenings in Yaroslavl;
- More than 2 million viewers watched the festival's live broadcasts on the Russian social network Odnoklassniki across the country.
Odnoklassniki served as the festival's principal digital platform, enabling millions of viewers throughout Russia to take part in the event remotely. Live broadcasts of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, creative meetings, and selected screenings reached an audience far exceeding the capacity of any traditional cinema venue.
"The Festival Ends, but Family Remains"
The XXI Within the Family International Family and Children's Film Festival has officially come to a close. Yet its enduring message—celebrating family, love, tradition, and mutual care—continues long after the final curtain.
As festival president Alexander Kovtunets said during the Closing Ceremony:
"The festival comes to an end, but family remains. We may leave, but Angel Street remains here in Yaroslavl. The Award for the Preservation of Family Values remains with those who received it. And most importantly, the films remain. So do the conversations they inspire. And the reminder that the very best things in life happen only within the family."
These words perfectly captured the spirit of this year's festival—a celebration of cinema that not only entertained audiences but also brought people together across generations, cultures, and borders through stories that remind us of what truly matters.
XXI WITHIN THE FAMILY INTERNATIONAL FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL AWARD WINNERS 2026
Children and Youth Feature Films Competition
Best Film Award
The Karate Kid
Russia, 2026
Director: Aleksey Alfyorov
Best Director Award
Maksim Koliganov
To Grandpa's Village 2
Russia, 2026
Best Cinematographer Award
Wenlei Liu
Where Eaglets Grow
China, 2025
Directors: Jingjing Lou, Da Ma
Best Child Performance
Elisey Chuchilin
My Friend
Russia, 2025
Director: Aleksandr Sukharev
Best Sound Design
The Karate Kid
Russia, 2026
Director: Aleksey Alfyorov
Special Jury Prizes
For Exemplifying the Ideals of Family Cinema
The Dino Family
Russia, 2025
Director: Maksim Volkov
For the Outstanding Portrayal of a Young Protagonist
Katja Matković
The Second Diary of Paulina P.
Croatia / Slovenia / Serbia, 2025
Director: Neven Hitrec
For the Warmth That Brings Audiences Together
Scarecrow
Russia, 2026
Directors: Ilya Khotinenko, Vladimir Karabanov
Audience Award
Onward: The Bitter Trail of Kembang Gula
Indonesia, 2026
Director: Franklin Darmadi
Main Feature Film Competition
Grand Prix
Whisper My Name
Iran, 2025
Director: Rasoul Sadrameli
Best Actress Award
Seema Biswas
Khoya Paya
India, 2026
Director: Ashutosh Singh
Best Actor Award
Abdullah Abdulrahimzoda
Fish on the Hook
Tajikistan / Iran, 2025
Director: Muhiddin Muzaffar
Best Cinematographer Award
Sauvik Basu
Khoya Paya
India, 2026
Director: Ashutosh Singh
Best Director Award
Erkan Acar
The Ghost Bastard
Germany / Switzerland, 2026
Best Sound Design
Fish on the Hook
Tajikistan / Iran, 2025
Director: Muhiddin Muzaffar
Special Jury Prize
For the Compelling Portrayal of the Search for One's Path in Life
The Odyssey of Joy
Kosovo / France, 2025
Director: Zgjim Terziqi
Audience Award
The Barrel
Belarus / Russia, 2026
Director: Aleksey Zvontsov
Russian Guild of Film Scholars and Film Critics Award
Philip Rules
Russia, 2024
Director: Roman Kosov
Main Short Film Competition
Best Actress Award
Maria Zarina
The Girls
Russia, 2026
Director: Maksim Markov
Best Actor Award
Vladislav Gubarev (as Nikita Gorovykh)
Acquired Deafness
Russia, 2025
Director: Nafisa Gavryuchina
Best Cinematographer Award
Ali Hosseinzadeh
The Exile
Iran, 2023
Director: Seyed Sajad Hosseini
Best Sound Design Award
Waste Fellow
India, 2026
Director: Prashanth Kumar
Best Animation Award
Paper Flowers
Iran, 2024
Director: Ramak Aminkazemi
Audience Award
Native
Russia, 2026
Director: Ivan Lavrenkov
Special Jury Prize
Farewell, Paris.
Iran, 2025
Director: Mohammad Ebrahim Shahbazi
Best Director Award
Sonia Panahi
As If Nothing Happened
Iran, 2026
Best Film Award
CrossRoad
Italy, 2026
Director: Luca Arcidiacono
Special Jury Prize for the Search for an Authentic Artistic Style
Mindless Mind
Tunisia, 2026
Director: Fadi Abdlkarim
Children's Short Film Competition
Best Child Performance
Maria Salakhova (as Vasilisa)
Parental Control
Russia, 2025
Director: Andrey Kozlov
Best Cinematographer Award
Santiago Meza Cortez
The Great Feat
Colombia, 2024
Director: Luber Yesid Zúñiga Ordóñez
Best Sound Design Award
Crazy Critters
Uruguay, 2025
Director: Juan Pablo Bornio
Best Director Award
Sandeep Reddy Sama
Sunny-Man
India, 2025
Audience Award
Prout
Belgium, 2025
Director: Marc-Henri Wajnberg
Special Jury Prize for Original Story
The Doll
Russia, 2025
Director: Vera Veredyuk
Special Jury Prize for Best Visual Design
My Father and the Beach
Brazil, 2024
Director: Marcos Alexandre
Special Jury Prize for a Bold Creative Experiment
A Dream Painted with a Tail
South Korea, 2025
Director: Valentina Dunaeva
Best Film Award
Parental Control
Russia, 2025
Director: Andrey Kozlov
Media Contact
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