Putin instructed to study the issue of creating the Moscow International Film Cluster

Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to consider creating a special economic zone in Moscow for the film industry – an international film cluster. The report to the president must be submitted by 30 September.

According to list instructions published on the Kremlin website, the government was also instructed to consider the possibility of introducing special measures to support residents of the special economic zone in the film industry by the end of September. Such measures may include tax incentives, subsidies and grants. Vladimir Putin appointed Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin in charge.

According to the Association of Film and Television Producers, before the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, the share of American projects in Russian film distribution had to about 75% of all theater revenue. After February 2022, the largest Hollywood film studios, in particular Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal, suspended their activities in Russia. After that, about 11.5% of cinemas closed in the country.

Milena Kostereva