RUSSIAN DOCUMENTARIES AND HISTORICAL DRAMAS ARE GAINING MOMENTUM IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Russian documentaries and historical dramas are gaining momentum in international markets
Films on environmental themes are sought after in South Korea and Taiwan and costumed historical dramas in Japan.

Russian movie, series, and animation producers summed up their participation in one of the largest Asian content markets—TIFFCOM Online 2022—which was held at the end of October as part of the 35th Tokyo International Film Festival. The Russian film industry took part for the first time in the Japanese market under the single brand Russian Content Worldwide (RCW). The film market, which brought together almost 2,000 participants from 58 countries, confirmed the interest of international buyers in Russian documentary content of various genres and costumed historical dramas. 
VOD platforms from Japan and South Korea are ready to buy the rights to the costume dramas Elizaveta (about the fate of the future Russian Empress Elizaveta before her ascension to the throne of the Russian Empire) and Bloody Lady(a thriller based on the biography of a cruel landowner who lived in 18th-century Russia). The works Invisible Hopeabout the environmental threat of plastic pollution and Artic. The Great Expedition about the problem of global warming and the rapid melting of ice in the Arctic are being considered for purchase by representatives of South Korea and Taiwan. Also of interest were family adventure films (The Adventures of Chuck&Huck and Red Riding Hood), comedy series (Eva in Labor and Ivanovs vs Ivanovs), a thriller about the darknet (Chimera) and many other projects. 

The participation of the Russian industry in TIFFCOM 2022 was organized by ROSKINO, Russian film promotion body. Twenty-nine Russian companies presented more than 100 projects online.

ROSKINO CEO Inna Shalyto: “At the last TIFFCOM, Russian companies noted interest in a wide variety of genres and final negotiations are underway on a number of projects—action dramas, historical series, family films—and documentaries of various genres—from environmental and scientific research to films about wildlife. This is the third content market this year in Asia, after Vietnam and South Korea, in which the Russian industry has participated under the RCW brand. By the end of the year, the Russian industry will have been represented at two more major content markets—in South Asia and the MENA region”.

One of the largest Russian producers of documentary content Odin Media, is currently negotiating the terms for a package of documentaries dedicated to environmental protection (Invisible Hope, Arctic. The Great Expedition, Land of Bears and the documentary series Armageddon) to Taiwan. Negotiations on the sale of a number of films to South Korea (Depth Hunters and Invisible Hope, among others) have almost been completed. In addition, the Taiwanese TV channel Cai Chang expressed a desire to continue cooperation on the Combat Approved project: the purchase of new seasons is being discussed along with a package of military documentaries. 

Sovtelexport, the official distributor of Russia Television and Radio is currently negotiating with VOD platforms from Japan and South Korea to sell the rights to the costume dramas Elizaveta and Bloody Lady. These, as well as other historical series (Ekaterina and Sofia) aroused the greatest interest among buyers. The company also held meetings with representatives of the film industries from Spain, Brazil, India, China and other countries. 

Russian World Vision conducted negotiations with representatives from Spain. One of the distributors was interested in the documentary SOLO, a film-journey project into the world of a dance culture in Russia, whose characters are talented and ambitious performers of six different dance styles from ballet to hip-hop, whose only dream is to conquer the stage. Spanish distributors also showed interest in the sports comedy Girls Got Game, the romantic comedy Have Fun, Vasya! Date in Bali, the horror Atakan. The Bloody Legend, and others. Buyers from Malaysia, Singapore, and India were attracted by the sports drama Eleven Silent Men, Atakan. The Bloody Legend, and the animated film Ginger’s Tale. The company is currently in negotiations about these projects.

START online cinema noted that the comedy Eva in Labor—the story of an eccentric dance teacher who urgently decided to find the perfect man and become a mother—attracted the most attention. Buyers from South Korea, the US, Brazil, and Indonesia appreciated the broad appeal of the story. The second season of the sensational drama about surrogacy Container and the sci-fi comedy The No Man Zone, also attracted the attention of South Korean representatives and negotiations are currently underway. 

All Media (a START company) is currently negotiating with buyers for the family fantasy Red Riding Hood and other projects from the company's catalog. All Media noted that buyers were most interested in family films, action films, and horror. As part of the market, meetings were held with buyers from China, India, Malaysia, and Japan.

Art Pictures Distribution noted increased interest in the comedy series Ivanovs vs Ivanovs, and other projects from its catalog (The Kitchen. War for the hotel and others). In terms of feature films, content buyers were interested in the family adventure film The Adventures of Chuck&Huck and the sci-fi thriller Reversible Reality. The company held meetings with representatives from China, Indonesia, Korea, and India.

Production Company Sreda noted the interest of companies from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam in their new hit crime thriller Chimera, which shows three worlds colliding in a struggle for power in a black market that claims the lives of millions and brings in billions. International content buyers also appreciated the psychological drama Trigger about a psychologist who is an advocate for shock therapy.

Animated content producers also spoke about the traditionally high interest of Asian companies in their projects. SMF Animation studio held meetings with representatives from Singapore, Malaysia, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. The animated series for the youngest—Monsikids—and the exciting children's detective story The Secrets of Honey Hills were especially popular.

CTB Film Company held a series of negotiations with buyers from mainland China, Singapore, Korea, Mongolia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Macau, presenting The Barkers, Moonzy, and other animated and feature films. 

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Russian Content Worldwide (RCW) https://rcw.online/ is the umbrella export brand of the Russian content industry. The mission of Russian Content Worldwide is to develop international ties and business cooperation, increase the transparency of the Russian film industry, and organize communication between Russian players whose work is focused on foreign markets, and an international audience interested in new names, original content, and new horizons in film production.