Russian Film Festival Returns to Dubai: A Cinematic Celebration of Culture, Adventure, and Music

Dubai, UAE 20 December2024 – In a city that celebrates diversity and global entertainment, the Russian Film Festival brings a glimpse of Russia’s vibrant storytelling to Dubai’s multicultural audience. From December 19th, 2024 to 21st December 2024, movie lovers in Dubai can immerse themselves in a unique cultural experience with free screenings of five Russian blockbusters: Chebi: My Fluffy Friend, The Challenge, Guest from the Future, The Bremen Town Musicians and Triumph.
The festival is designed to bring people together, transcending borders and languages. All films will be screened in Russian with English subtitles, ensuring a smooth experience for the city’s diverse audience. Organized by ROSKINO with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, this festival perfectly blends Dubai’s passion for world-class entertainment with the beauty of Russian storytelling.
Russian cinema has found a special place in the hearts of audiences in the UAE, with movies like Chebi: My Fluffy Friend and The Challenge filling theaters and becoming a major hit across the Middle East. Earlier this year, Roxy Cinema JBR hosted the premiere of Guest from the Future, showing how deeply Russian stories resonate within the region. Now, the Russian Film Festival is bringing something truly special with the UAE premiere of Triumph. This inspiring sports drama tells the true story of Yakut freestyle wrestlers and their coach, who stunned the world by making history at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. To make this experience even more memorable, the film’s director, Mikhail Lukachevsky, will personally attend the screening. Alongside him, Oksana Frolova, Deputy CEO of ROSKINO, will share about the journey of Russian Film Festival and bringing this stage to life.
The Challenge has made history as the first feature film ever shot in space. Director Klim Shipenko and actress Yulia Peresild spent an extraordinary 12 days aboard the International Space Station, capturing key scenes in a way that no filmmaker has done before. For fans of iconic Russian characters, the festival offers a fresh and exciting way to experience beloved Russian classics like Guest from the Future, The Bremen Town Musicians, and Chebi: My Fluffy Friend which promises to entertain audiences of all generations.
Reflecting on the growing success of Russian cinema in the UAE and beyond, Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, shared:
“More and more Russian films are making their way to cinemas, online platforms, and TV screens across the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai, with its futuristic charm and global appeal, has even served as a backdrop for some of the major Russian projects. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Russian cinema!”
Earlier in 2022, the Russian Film Festival celebrated cinematic diversity at Reel Cinemas at Dubai Mall with a fantastic lineup of films that had something for everyone. From the fun and colorful animated blockbusters like Finnick and The Fixies vs. the Crabots to the thrilling Sputnik and the elegant drama Bolshoi, the festival brought families, friends, and movie lovers together for a truly special experience.
This is more than just a film festival—it’s a chance to celebrate storytelling, connect with inspiring characters, and share in a moment of history. Don’t miss out on this unique cinematic experience right here in Dubai!

Venue: Roxy Cinemas Dubai, City Walk
Dates: December 19–21, 2024
Festival Program:
December 19 (Thursday)
● 18:00 – Opening Ceremony and Press Meet-up at Ground Floor
● 19:30 – Chebi: My Fluffy Friend | Directed by Dmitry Dyachenko
A heartwarming family film about friendship and overcoming challenges, based on the beloved Soviet cartoon.
December 20 (Friday)
● 18:30 – Triumph | Directed by Mikhail Lukachevsky
An inspiring sports drama about a Yakut wrestling coach and his students achieving Olympic glory.
● 20:30 – The Challenge | Directed by Klim Shipenko
A groundbreaking story of a female surgeon who travels to space to perform a complex surgery.
December 21 (Saturday)
● 12:00 – The Bremen Town Musicians| Directed by Alexei Nuzhny
A modern take on the classic Soviet cartoon, loved by generations.
● 15:00 – Guest from the Future | Directed by Alexander Andryushchenko
A sci-fi adventure about teenagers traveling through time, featuring Mark Eidelstein.

The Russian Film Festival, launched by ROSKINO with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation in 2020, aims to introduce foreign audiences to the diversity of modern Russian content, including feature films, TV series, animations, and documentaries. Since its inception, the festival has been held in 37 countries, attracting over 8.8 million viewers, with many countries hosting the event multiple times.