On 15.02 at 18:00, STS will premiere the adventure detective reality show “Secret Millionaire”, produced with the support of the Embassy of India in Moscow and the National Film Development Corporation of India. In the new reality show celebrities under the watchful eye of the host Sergey Burunov have started their own investigation for the sake of 10 million rubles. 
 
It fell to the following participants to uncover all the mysteries, conspiracies and intrigues of the Indian palace Dhulagarh, built in 1767: Polina Dibrova, Karina Murashkina, Vladimir Marconi, Yulia Gavrilina, Svetlana Listova, Vladimir Tishko, Alina Astrovskaya, Nastya Kraynova, Mikhail Stognienko, Vasily Smolny, Alexander Volokhov, Magomed Ismailov, Lyubyatinka and Alexander Kasatkin. 
 
To discover the identity of the secret millionaire, the celebrities wove intrigues and plots, gossiped and got into conflicts even with the closest of friends. 
 
“At some point it became so hard that I was crying every second,” says Karina Murashkina, who took part in a reality show for the first time. “It was especially difficult dealing with Tishko when he yelled at me with swear words. And I had a strong emotional shock at the end of my journey.” 
 
It was also difficult for Polina Dibrova, who flew to the shoot in the midst of discussions of her divorce. 
 
“At first I kept a bit of distance because I was afraid of everyone and everything. 
Some even thought I was nasty and stuck-up, but then I managed to win them over. 
People even apologized to me for their initial wrong impression,” says Polina, whose personal life and figure became the subject of several conflicts on the project. 
 
The participants admit that during filming they resorted to different ways of calming themselves down. 
 
“I was so stressed that one day I finished an entire bottle of sedatives,” says Alina Astrovskaya. “I brought with me a psychologist’s workbook with different exercises. 
And when emotions in our reality show flared up, I would take out the sheets and do them. 
We were so immersed in the given circumstances that we had goosebumps and everything inside clenched from stress.” 
 
“Of course, there was a lot of stress and periodic injustices,” adds Nastya Kraynova, who managed to ruin her relationships with both Dibrova and Murashkina. “I think viewers will be curious to watch each character and see how they reveal themselves by the finale. 
I promise many twists that will truly surprise.” 
 
In the new reality show, the participants not only had to weave intrigues, but also to discover Indian culture: the celebrities made spices, rode tuk-tuks, threw Holi colors, inflated two-meter balloons in the desert, painted an elephant’s trunk, played the flute for a snake, studied Hindi, searched for clues among yogis in a park, climbed to the top of a multi-level stepwell and up the wall of an ancient fort. 
 
“For the first time, I milked a cow,” recalls Polina Dibrova. “It didn’t work out the first time, because the first cow kicked me hard in the leg and ran away. I was in shock, frightened. A very challenging experience.” 
 
Challenges also took place on the grounds of the City Palace complex, in the sandy dunes of Chhabra, in an elephant amusement park, by Lake Maota, in temples, villages, markets and central squares. The celebrities looked for clues in the company of elephants, camels, monkeys, mountain goats, snakes, peacocks, parrots and other exotic animals and birds. 
 
The main filming location was the Dhulagarh Palace, where the participants also lived. 
Every day they were accompanied by a butler and a footman, while the chef and his team prepared exquisite European and Indian dishes. The palace itself was transformed for the guests’ arrival: artists filled the participants’ rooms, common spaces and the host’s office with themed props, decorated the walls with colorful drawings and the bedroom doors with images of totem animals. 
 
The project was created by the team behind hit shows “Hide and Seek”, “In the Dark” and “Superninja”. A crew of 150 Russians and Indians filmed the reality show in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Jaipur. Fifty cameras, sound and lighting equipment and other special gear were brought from Moscow, and local actors, artists, yogis and dancers were involved in the production.

First Russian reality show in India premieres on STS

Total box office revenues of Russian cinemas in 2025 reached 45.189 billion rubles, which is 5.4&#37; higher than in 2024. At the same time, admissions fell by 9.7&#37;, to 105.9 million tickets. 
 
“NMG Kinoprokat” ranks among the top three distributors, with a market share of 13.3&#37;. 
The company’s most successful releases were “Finist. The First Bogatyr”, “Yolki 12” and “Red Silk”.

By year-end results “NMG Kinoprokat” among top three

LLC “Stream Media” &#40;Wink streaming platform&#41; announced the completion of a deal to acquire 100&#37; of the shares in the charter capital of LLC “LifeStream”, which owns the “Smotreshka” video service. This company is a traditional market leader in providing television and online cinema services for a wide range of Russian internet providers, with a share of over 60&#37; in its segment &#40;B2B2C&#41;. 
 
Anton Volodkin, CEO of Wink streaming platform: 
“The pooling of efforts of the two companies is a logical step that fully corresponds to our strategy to increase our share in the online cinema market. The deal will bring a tangible synergistic effect to both parties. For us, this is an entry into a new promising and growing market segment: we are gaining a player with an established business and a loyal client base. “Smotreshka” holds leading positions as a video service in the B2B segment, with a wide range of clients among Russian internet providers. These are primarily regional operators, but together they account for more than a third of the Russian home internet market, with potential for further growth. “Smotreshka” users, in turn, will very soon gain access to Wink’s excellent and exclusive content library, as well as additional services, including music and books. We will focus on developing and strengthening IT infrastructure, CDN and technologies to improve the quality of user experience. We plan to keep the “Smotreshka” brand, team and the company’s interaction model with providers.” 
 
“Smotreshka” is one of the leaders of the Russian IPTV/OTT market in the B2B segment, combining more than 430 TV channels and several online cinemas in a single app. The company demonstrates stable growth, high user engagement and a leading position in the segment of services for independent operators. The company also provides services to providers under a White Label business model, actively increasing the number of partnerships and revenues. Since 2017, the mobile app “Smotreshka – TV and movies online” has been downloaded more than 6.2 million times. 
 
According to estimates by the TelecomDaily information and analytics agency, the service’s share of IPTV/OTT services for internet providers without their own branded video services stands at 68&#37; of revenue &#40;year-end 2024&#41;. Analysts also note high user engagement: on average, one user uses the service 4.1 hours per day which is above market indicators. 
 
Press office of Wink streaming platform. 
 
* * * 
 
Wink is one of the largest Russian streaming platforms. It combines the advantages of interactive television &#40;more than 300 TV channels&#41; and an online cinema with an excellent collection of films, series, animated features, concerts and other content, including blogger content, for every taste &#40;60,000 titles&#41;. 
 
Wink.ru releases original event-series for a wide variety of audiences. The Wink Originals lineup includes more than 60 projects, including such hits as “Boy’s Word. Blood on the Asphalt”, “Combination”, “Fischer”, “GDR”, “Ballet”, “The Librarian”, “Crybaby”, “The Pure Ones”, “Curious Varvara” and others. In 2025, Wink released the series “Lilies of the Valley. Such Tender Love”, “Chelyuskin. The First”, “There Is Chemistry Between Us”, “VIA Vasilki”, “Fischer. Eclipse”, “Doctor Vera”, “Leaving in Style 2”, “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears. It’s Only the Beginning”, “Berlin Heat”, “Curious Varvara. Season Two”, “We Don’t Care” and “The Cash-Out Specialist”. On 01.01.2026, the project “Lilies of the Valley. Second Spring” premiered in the Wink Originals lineup and has already become the most popular Russian series of the beginning of the year. 
 
Wink streaming platform is included in the white list of domestic resources compiled by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development. This means that the platform’s TV channels and library of films and series remain accessible even in the event of possible mobile internet restrictions introduced for security purposes.

Keep both of your eyes open: Wink and “Smotreshka” to grow together

The film, produced with the support of Nota Bene Film Group and National Media Group, took part in the Russian Film Festival organized by ROSKINO with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. 
 
At the official opening ceremony on 17 December, speeches were given by Alexey Meshkov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco, ROSKINO CEO Elza Antonova and Art Pictures Distribution CEO Anastasia Korchagina. The screening took place on 20 December at the atmospheric Russian Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Center on the legendary Quai Branly. The film was shown in Russian with French subtitles, which allowed the French audience to fully appreciate the original sound of the picture. In total, the festival program featured five Russian films. 
 
The main goal of the event was to present to the Parisian public the multifaceted palette of contemporary Russian cinema. The program included a wide range of genres, from war drama to romantic comedy. Each title was selected to showcase not only the high craftsmanship of Russian filmmakers, but also the richness of themes that concern contemporary society. The participation of “Red Silk” in the Paris festival became yet another confirmation of the international recognition of this successful Russian-Chinese project.

Russian-Chinese film “Red Silk” conquers Paris

Beijing is hosting discussions on the prospects of Russia-China cooperation in the media market, as the 6th Media Forum kicks off in the city. Industry leaders are exchanging experiences and summarizing the results of projects that have already gained recognition in both countries. Among these is the success of the film &quot;Red Silk,&quot; produced with the participation of the National Media Group. 
 
The preparations were meticulous, spanning several days to ensure everything met the highest standards—from smoothing out the lace on the chairs to rehearsing the synchronized serving of tea. For China, the 6th Russia-China Media Forum is a matter of particular importance, attended by the country&#39;s Communist Party leadership. 
 
&quot;We need to meet more often and discuss issues of mutual concern. We share common views on the challenges in the information sphere,&quot; noted Yu Junsheng, Deputy Head of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Director of the Beijing Radio and Television Station. 
 
The forum also brings together heads of leading media organizations from both nations. Representing China are Xinhua News Agency, the People&#39;s Daily, and China Media Group, while Russia is represented by key industry leaders. 
 
&quot;Today, we live in a world of fake news, a world of unreliable information and historical distortion. It is crucial that two such major powers, which possess such powerful and effective mass media, cooperate as closely as possible to present an objective and truthful picture of both history and the contemporary world to all of modern humanity,&quot; emphasized Svetlana Balanova, CEO of the National Media Group. 
 
A full day of discussions focused on key topics for both Chinese and Russian media market participants: challenges in the digital era and the work of new media. Despite their differences, the countries have much to share with each other. 
 
Russian media are highly active in China. Russia’s largest private media holding, the National Media Group, collaborates with several Chinese media giants. The Xinhua News Agency now exchanges information, photos, and video materials with the Izvestia multimedia information centre. In May of this year, NMG and China Media Group signed an agreement in the presence of national leaders. Furthermore, this collaboration has extended to film co-production, a unique occurrence in recent history. The film created in co-production of Russia and China with participation of NMG, &quot;Red Silk&quot;, has been released in both Russia and China. Its success has paved the way for a sequel; currently, discussions are underway, including on the sidelines of the Beijing forum, for a new project titled &quot;Black Silk&quot;. 
 
Moreover, Chinese children are watching Russian cartoons. The animated series &quot;Three Cats&quot; is known in China as &quot;Mihao Family&quot; — a playful take as if cats were saying &quot;nihao&quot; in their own way. Its popularity is immense, with a constantly growing audience. 
 
&quot;This series has garnered over 5.5 billion views in China. Naturally, we arrived at a logical decision. Today, we announce that we will produce a special series for Chinese viewers: not just for them, but a dedicated Chinese series,&quot; added Balanova. 
 
STS Animation, part of the NMG holding, is launching a major new project — producing a special Chinese series of the popular animated series &quot;Three Cats&quot; which marks its 10th anniversary this year. The special is being prepared in partnership with a Chinese distributor, and local consultants will be involved in script development. The new episode will have a runtime of 20 minutes, with its premiere expected in late 2026. 
 
This project is part of NMG’s strategy to expand the international presence of Russian animation. In spring 2026, the fifth season of &quot;Three Cats&quot; will launch on China&#39;s largest VOD platforms, including Tencent, Youku, and Puxin. The series has already amassed 5.5 billion views and remains popular with local audiences. 
 
NMG’s presence in the Chinese market has grown significantly in recent years: in 2025, revenue from content sales increased 2.5 times compared to 2024. Animated projects like &quot;Three Cats&quot; and &quot;Little Tiaras&quot; are widely available in China. They are accessible on leading platforms and national channels, adapted for the local audience, and dubbed into various dialects, including Cantonese, Taiwanese, and Hokkien. A diverse range of merchandise has been created for these projects — books, games, toys, clothing, and FMCG products. Furthermore, the brands are actively promoted on popular Chinese social networks like Douyin and Weibo.

The 6th Russia-China Media Forum opens in Beijing

Anastasia Krasovskaya and Aleksandar Radojičić will appear in the sequel to the detective blockbuster &quot;Red Silk&quot;. 
 
Anastasia Krasovskaya &#40;&quot;The Boy&#39;s Word: Blood on the Asphalt&quot;, &quot;Give Us the Show&quot;&#41; and Aleksandar Radojičić &#40;&quot;Hard to Be a God&quot;, &quot;The Balkan Line&quot;&#41; will join the star-studded cast of &quot;Black Silk&quot;, which includes Miloš Biković, Maksim Matveev in the role of Richard Sorge, Chinese actress Zheng Hanyi, Gleb Kalyuzhny, and Yelena Podkaminskaya. &quot;Black Silk&quot; is the sequel to the Russian-Chinese detective action film &quot;Red Silk&quot;, a joint project by Nota Bene Film Group studio and the National Media Group &#40;NMG&#41; holding. The film will be released in theatres by “NMG Kinoprokat”. 
 
The film&#39;s events take place in 1931. The plot is set in Shanghai – the &quot;New York of Asia&quot;, where foreign intelligence agencies clash in a labyrinth of luxurious nightclubs and neon-lit streets. A secret cargo – the &quot;Black Silk&quot; – is being transported to the city. In search of the mysterious object, the Soviet and Chinese protagonists find themselves aboard a passenger liner and a zeppelin, which turn out to be elaborate traps. They are surrounded by Japanese agents, with the vast ocean and sky beyond, and time is running out with each minute. One mistake could lead to a global catastrophe. 
 
Serbian actor Aleksandar Radojičić, who recently played Rumata in the series, will take on the role of one of the film&#39;s antagonists. Details about Anastasia Krasovskaya&#39;s character are still under wraps, but the creators reveal that her character will be a love interest for one of the main heroes. 
 
Andrey Volgin, the director: &quot;This is a major cinematic spectacle in the best traditions of Agatha Christie and &quot;Mission: Impossible&quot; – a format that audiences loved after &quot;Red Silk&quot;. However, we are working on this film without looking back at the previous installment: the story of &quot;Black Silk&quot; will be accessible to new viewers as well. There is a mystery to be solved – and this time, it will be on a much grander scale.&quot; 
 
&quot;Red Silk&quot; was released in Russian theatres on February 20 of this year, grossing approximately 700 million rubles at the domestic box office. The film&#39;s premiere in China, timed to coincide with the state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, took place on September 4 at Beijing&#39;s premier cinema, the China Film International Theatre. 
 
&quot;Black Silk&quot; will be released in theatres by “NMG Kinoprokat” in February 2027. 
 
Production: Nota Bene Film Group, National Media Group &#40;NMG&#41;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Theatrical Distribution &#40;RU&#41;: “NMG Kinoprokat” 
 
International Distribution: Art Pictures Distribution&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Partners: Cinema Fund&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Genre: Detective Action&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Director: Andrey Volgin&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
General Producer: Vadim Byrkin&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Producer: Anastasia Pelevina&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Executive Producer: Svetlana Zimagorova&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Creative Producer: Nikita Byrkin&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Line Producers &#40;China&#41;: Olga Kashirina, Yang Yang&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Screenwriter: Maria Nefedova&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Director of Photography: Maksim Mikhanjuk&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Production Designer: Dmitry Malich&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Cast: Miloš Biković, Maksim Matveev, Zheng Hanyi, Gleb Kalyuzhny, Anastasia Krasovskaya, Aleksandar Radojičić, Yelena Podkaminskaya, and others. 
 
Synopsis: 
1931. Shanghai – the &quot;New York of Asia&quot; – where foreign intelligence agencies clash in a labyrinth of luxurious nightclubs and neon-lit streets. A secret cargo, the &quot;Black Silk,&quot; is being smuggled into the city. In pursuit of this mysterious object, Soviet and Chinese operatives board a passenger liner and a zeppelin, only to find themselves in elaborate traps. Surrounded by Japanese agents, with nothing but the boundless ocean and sky beyond, time is running out. A single mistake could trigger a global catastrophe.

Anastasia Krasovskaya and Aleksandar Radojičić to Star in Sequel to Detective Hit «Red Silk»

National Media Group announces the signing of cooperation agreements with three of India’s largest media companies. These include India&#39;s largest state-owned television and radio broadcaster Prasar Bharati, South Asia&#39;s leading multimedia news agency Asian News International &#40;ANI, India&#41; and Indian media group TV9 Network &#40;Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited&#41;. The signing took place during Russian President Vladimir Putin&#39;s state visit to India and the Russian-Indian Forum currently being held in New Delhi. 
 
As part of the agreement with Prasar Bharati, the parties agreed to exchange and jointly produce content in the fields of culture, education, science, entertainment, sports, and news of mutual interest. The agreement with Asian News International &#40;ANI, India&#41; will enable both companies to systematically develop cooperation, improve the quality of international news exchange and provide audiences with broader and more objective coverage of current events in both countries. The agreement with TV9 Network provides an opportunity to develop cooperation through the exchange of media content, joint production of materials, training and internships for employees, expansion of media distribution, and utilization of the potential of the network of correspondents. 
 
Svetlana Balanova, CEO of National Media Group: 
&quot;The centuries-old ties between India and Russia are a strong bridge connecting two great peoples through rich traditions and mutual respect. This is a solid foundation for further friendly, cultural and business cooperation. Year-over-year, NMG&#39;s content sales to India have increased nearly eightfold, and we are seeing sustained interest in Indian content among our viewers, both on TV and VOD platforms. We are already actively working in the Indian market: just recently, filming wrapped up in India for a new large‑scale show for the STS TV channel, «Secret Millionaire», which involved more than 100 Indian professionals. Collaborative work with our Indian colleagues at a new level will allow us to better understand the interests of Russian and Indian content consumers. This cooperation opens up new opportunities in media production and the exchange of experience in the context of global business transformation.&quot; 
 
Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati: 
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with National Media Group represents a significant expansion of Prasar Bharati&#39;s engagement with Russia&#39;s media ecosystem. This comprehensive partnership framework encompasses content exchange and joint production across culture, education, science, entertainment, sports, and news, creating diverse opportunities for audiences in both countries to experience each other&#39;s rich content offerings. We are particularly excited about exploring the distribution of our television and radio channels on each other&#39;s digital platforms on a reciprocal basis, which will significantly enhance our reach and accessibility. The provision of access to our PB-SHABD &#40;Prasar Bharati Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination&#41; news wire service will enable National Media Group to access authentic audio-visual content from India for broadcast purposes. Beyond content collaboration, this MoU establishes a robust framework for professional exchanges, training programmes, and co-production ventures that will leverage the creative and technical expertise of both organizations. This partnership exemplifies Prasar Bharati&#39;s Global Outreach vision of forging strategic international media alliances that foster cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people connections between India and Russia.” 
 
Mr. Sanjiv Prakash, Editor-in-Chief & CEO of ANI: 
“ANI is pleased to formalize this partnership with National Media Group &#40;NMG&#41; at a time when India–Russia engagement continues to expand across sectors. This cooperation will strengthen our ability to deliver credible, timely, and comprehensive news to audiences in both countries. By working closely with NMG, we aim to deepen cross-cultural understanding and enhance the global flow of reliable information.” 
 
Whole time director of TV9 Network Hemant Sharma: 
“The agreement between TV9 Bharatvarsh and National Media Group will facilitate the exchange of informational content and news between the two countries. TV9 Bharatvarsh, the only global news channel broadcasting in Hindi, will help deliver Russia&#39;s perspective on world events to audiences, and will show Russian viewers India&#39;s assessment of the global news landscape. I am confident that our cooperation will be long-term and will open a new chapter in the long-standing friendship between India and Russia.” 
 
*** 
Background information 
 
National Media Group is Russia’s largest private media holding. NMG manages a diversified portfolio of assets in the production, distribution, and monetization of high-quality informational and entertainment content across all types of media. 
 
Key assets include the leaders of the Russian media market: broadcast TV channels REN TV, Channel Five, STS, Domashny, Che, STS Love, and STS Kids; the multimedia information center &quot;Izvestia MIC” &#40;which includes the IZ.RU portal, the &quot;Izvestia” newspaper, the &quot;Izvestia” TV channel, and the news services of REN TV and Channel Five&#41;; newspapers such as &quot;Sport-Express” and &quot;Delovoy Peterburg”, ”NMG Kinoprokat”, сompanies engaged in the production of popular films, shows and series, as well as owning technological and marketing assets. NMG also holds an equity stake in Channel One. 
 
In 2019, NMG launched the online service more.tv, and in June 2023 completed the merger of video services more.tv and Wink as part of a joint venture with PJSC Rostelecom. In November 2022, the holding announced the creation of the film distribution company &quot;NMG Kinoprokat.” In January 2024, NMG launched NMG DOC – a single platform for the production and distribution of non-fiction works. In April 2024, NMG and RDIF agreed to invest in the creation of a joint Сommercial fund for the development of film and animation. 
According to Mediascope, by the end of 2024 NMG was the leader in terrestrial TV audience share across the entire population of Russia, with a 25&#37; share. 
 
*** 
Prasar Bharati is an India’s public broadcasting company established by the Prasar Bharati &#40;Broadcasting Corporation of India&#41; Act of 1990. 
The company manages a diversified portfolio of assets in radio, television and digital platforms, providing high-quality information and entertainment content to a wide audience. 
Prasar Bharati’s key assets include the national radio network All India Radio &#40;Akashvani&#41; and the public television broadcaster Doordarshan, as well as its digital platforms — the OTT service WAVES, the NewsOnAir mobile application, and various online channels. The free-to-air satellite service DD Free Dish provides television access to remote and rural regions across India. 
Prasar Bharati actively develops the production and distribution of news, documentary, and entertainment programming, maintaining editorial independence while being state-funded. 
In recent years, Prasar Bharati has significantly strengthened its digital presence by introducing new services for online audiences, and it continues to play a key role in promoting national integration, democratic values, and access to reliable information for all citizens of India. 
 
*** 
Asian News International &#40;ANI&#41; is a leading multimedia news agency with more than 100 bureaus across India, South Asia, and around the world. Founded in 1971, ANI is widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected and trusted media corporations. 
 
*** 
TV9 Network is one of India’s largest independent media groups, operated by Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited &#40;ABCPL&#41;. The network operates a diverse portfolio of television channels, digital platforms, and OTT services, delivering news and entertainment content in multiple languages to a broad audience. 
TV9 Network’s key assets include the national Hindi-language channel TV9 Bharatvarsh and a range of regional channels — TV9 Telugu, TV9 Kannada, TV9 Marathi, TV9 Gujarati, and TV9 Bangla — as well as digital platforms such as the News9 OTT service and the multilingual financial platform Money9. Its international reach is supported through partnerships with major streaming platforms, while its strong online presence ensures access to content across all devices. 
TV9 Network continues to expand its news, documentary, and entertainment production while maintaining editorial independence and high journalistic standards. 
In recent years TV9 Network has significantly strengthened its digital presence by expanding its multilingual online services and OTT platforms, further consolidating its position as one of India’s leading news networks and providing audiences with reliable information and timely coverage at both regional and national levels.

National Media Group Signs Cooperation Agreements with Three of India’s Largest Media Companies

The CEO of&nbsp;&nbsp;“NMG Kinoprokat” Vadim Smirnov, in partnership with the “Industry” Film and Television School, is launching the first cohort of the practical course &quot;Film Marketing and Distribution: The “NMG Kinoprokat” Course”. The program aims to address the shortage of qualified specialists in film distribution during a period of rapid growth in Russian cinema. The training will be held in Moscow, available in both in-person and remote formats. 
 
According to “NMG Kinoprokat”, Russia has an acute shortage of specialized managers for film promotion and distribution. The industry is experiencing a severe talent deficit that is hindering market growth, causing many high-quality domestic studio projects to fall short of expected box office returns. 
 
A distribution specialist is a key figure in the spheres of film, television, and digital media. They must possess competencies in marketing, economics, partner negotiations, and a deep understanding of film market mechanics. Over 4.5 months, students will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills and have the opportunity to apply them in practice during workshops and real “NMG Kinoprokat” projects. 
 
Importantly, course participants will not only undergo training but will also be fully immersed in the professional environment: attending film premieres, corporate events, and presentations. 
 
The program’s author is Vadim Smirnov, CEO of “NMG Kinoprokat”. He previously served as Vice President of Theatrical Distribution at The Walt Disney Studios CIS and headed Twentieth Century Fox CIS for eight years. He managed the Russian market launches of franchises such as “The Avengers”, “Star Wars”, and “X-Men”, as well as films like “12 Years a Slave”, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, “The Martian”, and other Russian box office leaders. 
 
&quot;Today, the film business is a precise engineering of success, where marketing has become as crucial an element as production. No franchise conquers the world on its own. Behind every major release lies a meticulously crafted market entry strategy. In this course, we will dissect not theory, but the inner workings of major distribution. My goal is for you, after completing the training, to view any film not as a viewer, but as a strategist capable of forecasting its success,&quot; shared Vadim Smirnov. 
 
The course is suitable for individuals without prior experience in film, for already working specialists, as well as for marketers, PR managers, and media agents from other industries. All graduates who successfully complete the program will receive a state-recognized professional retraining diploma. 
 
&quot;We have been collaborating with “NMG Kinoprokat” for many years. Our experience unequivocally shows that even a very good film needs a competent promotion strategy to realize its full box office potential. That is precisely why we are creating a course led by top-tier practitioners—specialists who have shaped the Russian film market over the past decades. Furthermore, the school&#39;s co-founder Fyodor Bondarchuk and I will personally conduct some of the classes. We have prepared case studies never shared before—this is real-life experience that allows one to understand how cinema truly works from the inside. For many, this will become not just training, but an entry into a new profession,&quot; noted the school&#39;s co-founder and producer Mikhail Vrubel. 
 
About the “Industry” Film and Television School 
The school was founded by director Fyodor Bondarchuk and producers of the &quot;Vodorod&quot; company, Mikhail Vrubel and Alexander Andryushchenko, with the support of the National Media Group. Since 2017, &quot;Industry&quot; has been training specialists for the film and television industry. Graduates of the school have contributed to the creation of series and films such as &quot;Buratino&quot;, &quot;Alice in Wonderland&quot;, &quot;The Boy&#39;s Word&quot;, &quot;Major Grom: Plague Doctor&quot;, &quot;Ice 3&quot;, &quot;Attraction&quot;, &quot;Sputnik&quot;, &quot;The Dyatlov Pass Incident&quot;, &quot;Central Russia’s Vampires&quot;, &quot;Call DiCaprio!&quot;, and other projects. 
 
About “NMG Kinoprokat” 
The distribution division of the media holding &quot;National Media Group&quot;, founded in 2022. Within three years, the company has risen to leading positions in the film distribution market and has released a number of successful titles, including &quot;Finist: The First Bogatyr&quot;, &quot;At the Pike&#39;s Behest&quot;, &quot;Red Silk&quot;, &quot;Yolki 11&quot;, &quot;Vozdukh&quot;, &quot;Ice 3&quot;, and other films.

«NMG Kinoprokat» Teams Up with «Industry» Film and Television School to Address a Major Issue in Russia's Domestic Film Market

On December 1, 2025, the grand award ceremony for the V Anniversary Russian National Award in the Sphere of Creative Industries was held at Zaryadye. First place in the &quot;Impact Momentum&quot; category was awarded to the original series by the National Media Group, created for the Wink online cinema: &quot;Lily of the Valley. Such Tender Love.&quot; The jury highlighted the series&#39; powerful emotional impact, its significant public resonance, and its contribution to the development of domestic media production. 
 
The series premiered on the Wink platform in the Wink Originals lineup on January 1, 2025, and immediately won the hearts of Russian viewers. The show&#39;s actors received thousands of messages from military personnel, their wives, and girlfriends. Viewers affirmed that they saw their own ordinary lives, their problems, and joys on screen. The project offered support and gave hope. 
 
This year alone, over 1,200 applications were submitted for the Award, with more than 6,000 over its five-year history. For the creators of the series, this award is a recognition of their creative approach to crafting grand romantic stories, as well as a symbol of success in tackling a complex and relevant dramatic theme. 
The award was accepted by the series&#39; Executive Producer, Yuri Sapronov. The premiere of the second season, titled &quot;Lilies of the Valley. The Second Spring,&quot; will be released exclusively on the Wink platform. 
 
About the Series: 
&quot;Lily of the Valley. Such Tender Love&quot; is a dramedy about feelings, the clash of worlds, and the search for one&#39;s own path. It tells the love story of a wealthy heiress and an ordinary guy from a provincial town. 
The lead roles are played by rising stars of Russian cinema — Nika Zdorik and Sergey Gorodnichy. The director of the first season is Alexander Karpilovsky, and the producer is Yuri Sapronov. The composer is Zhenya Trofimov, last year&#39;s musical discovery. 
The series was produced for the Wink online cinema by &quot;NMG Studio&quot; and &quot;Russian World Studios&quot; with the support of the Institute for Internet Development &#40;IID&#41;. 
 
About the Award 
The Russian Creative Award was established in 2021 and is presented to professionals, projects, companies, cities, and regions for achievements in the field of creative industries and contributions to the development of Russia&#39;s creative economy. 
Over its five-year history, the award has received more than 6,000 submissions. The award categories are updated annually to reflect changes within the industry. 
The fifth — anniversary — ceremony took place on December 1, 2025, in Moscow at the Zaryadye Concert Hall. 
 
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Background information 
National Media Group is Russia’s largest private media holding. NMG manages a diversified portfolio of assets in the production, distribution, and monetization of high-quality informational and entertainment content across all types of media. 
 
Key assets include the leaders of the Russian media market: broadcast TV channels REN TV, Channel Five, STS, Domashny, Che, STS Love, and STS Kids; the multimedia information center &quot;Izvestia MIC” &#40;which includes the IZ.RU portal, the &quot;Izvestia” newspaper, the &quot;Izvestia” TV channel, and the news services of REN TV and Channel Five&#41;; newspapers such as &quot;Sport-Express” and &quot;Delovoy Peterburg”, ”NMG Kinoprokat”, сompanies engaged in the production of popular films, shows and series, as well as owning technological and marketing assets. NMG also holds an equity stake in Channel One. 
 
In 2019, NMG launched the online service more.tv, and in June 2023 completed the merger of video services more.tv and Wink as part of a joint venture with PJSC Rostelecom. In November 2022, the holding announced the creation of the film distribution company &quot;NMG Kinoprokat.” In January 2024, NMG launched NMG DOC – a single platform for the production and distribution of non-fiction works. In April 2024, NMG and RDIF agreed to invest in the creation of a joint Сommercial fund for the development of film and animation. 
 
According to Mediascope, by the end of 2024 NMG was the leader in terrestrial TV audience share across the entire population of Russia, with a 25&#37; share.

«Lily of the Valley. Such Tender Love» — Winner of the «Creative Industries 2025» Award in the «Impact Momentum» Category

Channel Five&#39;s project &quot;Trace&quot; &#40;“Sled”&#41; has been declared as the best series of the outgoing year according to the residents of Russia. The Analytical Center of VCIOM, in partnership with the &quot;People&#39;s Brand&quot; award, has summarized the results of a study that determined the main cinematic preferences of viewers. This is the best confirmation that, for many years running, the detective series about the work of the Federal Expert Service continues to set the standard in the genre. 
 
&quot;Trace&quot; is a series about the work of experts who prove that even the most cautious and cunning criminals leave traces, and professionals will inevitably find them. The FES laboratory brings together the best specialists in all areas of forensics. They examine various pieces of evidence, generate leads, and expose villains. &quot;Trace&quot; holds the absolute record for the number of episodes aired among Russian series. To date, 3,500 episodes have been filmed. 
 
The creators of the project do not reveal the secret of its unprecedented longevity. They say that an important part of the &quot;Trace&quot; philosophy is the balance between time-tested formulas and bold experiments, both in storylines and visual style. 
 
Yuri Kharnas, Creative Producer and Director of the series &quot;Trace&quot;: 
&quot;We are constantly in search of ideas and new faces. We strive to have many young people working on the project — it energizes it. Currently, we are working a lot with graphics and action, trying to diversify the visual range. We continue the good tradition of putting great care into the teasers. But the main secret of our detective is the cast. This includes both esteemed artists who have been filming since the very first episodes and new participants — interesting, charismatic, unique, and organic. And, of course, the indispensable star and driving force of the project—the magnificent Olga Igorevna Koposova as Galina Rogozina!&quot; 
 
Victory in a public vote is not just a line in a rating. It is the logical result of many years of meticulous work by an entire team that managed to create a unique project which, on one hand, has become familiar and dear to viewers, and on the other, constantly surprises. 
 
Note 
The broadcast of the series &quot;Trace&quot; secures Channel Five first place in the daytime and evening slots from 13:30 to 22:20, Monday through Friday, among the female audience aged &quot;25-59&quot; with an 8.5&#37; share &#40;1&#41;. During weekday primetime from 17:30 to 22:20, the detective series tops the rankings simultaneously in two key demographics: &quot;Women 25-59&quot; and &quot;Women 35-45&quot;, with average shares of 9.0&#37; &#40;2&#41; and 8.0&#37; &#40;3&#41;, respectively. 
 
Sources: 
1 — Mediascope, Russia 0&#43;, 01.01.2025-14.11.2025 &#40;excluding 08.08.25, 15.08.25, 22.08.25, 29.08.25, and 05.09.25&#41;, weekdays, Monday-Friday, 13:30-22:20, audience share. 
2 — Mediascope, Russia 0&#43;, 01.01.2025-14.11.2025, weekdays, Monday-Friday, 17:30-22:20, audience share &#40;Share&#37;&#41;, Women aged 25-59. 
3 — Mediascope, Russia 0&#43;, 01.01.2025-14.11.2025, weekdays, Monday-Friday, 17:30-22:20, audience share &#40;Share&#37;&#41;, Women aged 35-45.