The Message to Man International Film Festival is set to begin soon. This year’s programme features 77 competition films and over 130 films in special sections. Among the jury and Festival guests are cinema and art professionals from around the world, spanning from Nepal and Argentina to Italy and Canada. Today, the festival unveils the lineup for its key events: the Opening and Closing screenings.
The Festival will kick off with the Russian premiere of Ali Abbasi’s film The Apprentice (2024). For the closing ceremony, audiences will have a chance to see All We Imagine as Light (2024), Payal Kapadia’s Cannes triumph, which won the Grand Prix, one of the festival’s most prestigious awards.
The Festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, and the Committee for Culture of St. Petersburg.
OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL
October 18
The Festival will begin with the traditional Opening press conference at the Aurora Cinema, where the team and Jury members will discuss this year’s programme.
Press conference speakers:
- Alexei Uchitel, Festival President;
- Mikhail Ratgauz, Festival Programme Director;
- Min Bahadur Bham, film director, member of the International Competition Jury;
- Martín Benchimol, film director, cinematographer, member of the International Competition Jury;
- Stefan Ivančić, director, producer, programmer, member of the International Competition Jury;
- Vasily Stepanov, Chairman of the Selection Committee;
- Burak Çevik, director, curator, member of the International Competition Jury.
Moderator:
- Larisa Malyukova, film critic, screenwriter.
Accreditation for the Opening press conference: https://message2man.com/accreditation-press-conference
After the conference, the Russian premiere of The Apprentice, directed by renowned filmmaker Ali Abbasi, will take place at the Aurora cinema. This will be the film’s first screening in Russia, just a week after its US box office debut. The film will be released in Russia on October 31. The distribution rights were acquired by Arna Media, and Atmosfera Kino will become the distributor.
The Apprentice tells the story of a young Donald Trump at the outset of his career, well before his entry into politics. Set in 1970s and 1980s New York, the film explores Trump’s early immersion in the real estate business and his ambition to dominate the city. Inevitably, the film serves as a commentary on the current political story capturing global attention: the upcoming US presidential election.
The Apprentice was part of the competition lineup at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
On the same day, at 7:30 pm, the Festival’s Opening Ceremony will take place at the Alexandrinsky Theatre’s New Stage.
CLOSING OF THE FESTIVAL
October 26
Message to Man will conclude on October 26, with the Awards Ceremony taking place at 7:30 pm at Lendoc Film Studio.
The closing film of the 34th Message to Man IFF is All We Imagine as Light by the young Indian director Payal Kapadia. Known for her non-fiction work, Kapadia’s feature debut became one of the highlights at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
This deeply humanistic film, shot with Kapadia’s signature soft, poetic lens, follows the story of two girls navigating the vastness and chaos of Mumbai as they pursue happiness, coming into conflict with the traditions that still shape modern Indian society.
Critics have described All We Imagine as Light as “enchanting, offering viewers not just a story but a whole universe,” bringing “a sense of freshness and, despite pervasive darkness, optimism.”
The film became the first Indian feature in the Cannes competition lineup in 30 years, and it proceeded to win the Grand Prix.
All We Imagine as Light will screen on October 26 at 4:00 pm at the Aurora Cinema.
On October 27, Dom Kino will host screenings of the winning films from the competition programmes of the 34th Message to Man IFF.
