“Salt of the Earth” Festival in Russia features films from India, Brazil, Iran and Venezuela

The results of the International Film Festival “Salt of the Earth” were announced in Samara. The winners received 18 awards. The Grand Prix was awarded to the film “Where Swallows Live” directed by Katrina Romanova (Arkhangelsk Region, Moscow, VGIK studio).

The Governor of the Samara Region’s Award went to the film “Return Address: Starshina” directed by Ulyana Gerasimova (Moscow). The Samara Mayor’s Award was presented to the local film “Grigory Aksakov. A Romantic in Public Service” directed by Inga Penner. Five more films became winners in their respective categories, while jury diplomas and the Audience Choice Award were also presented.

“Around 500 applications were submitted. Our film festival has long gone beyond the borders of the Samara Region and has become one of the most significant events in the world of documentary cinema. In the year of Samara’s 440th anniversary, this is one of the key cultural events. I congratulate all the winners and look forward to seeing everyone at the anniversary festival next year!” said Samara Mayor Ivan Noskov.

TV BRICS became the festival’s international organisational partner. The internatuonal media network held a special screening of films from its partners in India, Brazil, Iran, China and Venezuela. Viewers watched “Whisper of Wild Nature” (India, Innovative Film Academy), “My Sister, Clara” (Brazil, directed by Diego Alexandre), “Charming Beijing!” (a joint production by TV BRICS, China Daily and the Press Centre of the People’s Government of Beijing), as well as an episode of the programme"Day of the Dead: Culture and Loyalty to Tradition" (Venezuela, teleSUR).

Ivan Zakharenko, Head of the Thematic Broadcasting and Special Media Projects Department at TV BRICS and a film director, served on the festival jury. He presented the international media network’s new documentary film “Earth. Lifelines”. The project addresses the global issue of land degradation and demonstrates solutions through the example of Russia. The film was created in support of the “Silk Road Caravan” initiative implemented in 2026 by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

The TV BRICS Special Award, which gives the recipient the right to have their film broadcast on the international media network, was awarded to "Bayun of the Zhiguli and Volga” directed by Viktoria Garmashova. Zakharenko noted that the film about the friendship between Sergey Esenin and Volga poet Aleksander Shiryaevets allows an international audience to see the “human dimension” of Russian culture through the stories of lesser-known figures.

“The film is filled with stunning Volga landscapes. For TV BRICS, this is an opportunity to show Russia not through major metropolitan cities, but through lesser-known perspectives. In this respect, we are especially aligned with the festival,” he emphasised.

According to the director, the competition programme also clearly demonstrated a trend towards reflecting contemporary life through regional identity.

“These films are about disappearing traditional cultures of small peoples, preserving the heritage of the past and adapting it to modern realities. At the same time, the authors of such topics are often very young directors, recent graduates. A vivid example is ‘Where Swallows Live’, the winner of the Grand Prix,” he said.

The festival’s competition programme included 30 films, while another 35 were screened out of competition.