Maria Tokmasheva has been named the new Editor-in-Chief of Kino-Teatr.Ru, the leading digital platform dedicated to Russian cinema, television series, and theater. She succeeds Jean Prosyanov, who will remain with the organization as Publisher and CEO, while also focusing on the development of his own independent production ventures.
Prosyanov had steered the editorial direction of the portal since 2011. His transition comes at a pivotal moment as Kino-Teatr.Ru undergoes a brand evolution; the platform recently unveiled a refreshed visual identity, including a new logo and modernized design elements, ahead of its 20th anniversary in 2026.
“It is a tremendous honor to step into this role after nearly a decade with one of the most significant and long-standing resources for Russian cinema. I am deeply grateful to Jean Prosyanov and the entire team for their confidence in me. The fundamental philosophy of Kino-Teatr.Ru will remain unchanged. Our primary mission continues to be providing a comprehensive reflection of every facet of the domestic film industry—spanning feature films, series, shorts, and any other creative forms that capture the current state and, hopefully, the continued progress of Russian cinema,” Maria Tokmasheva stated.
Tokmasheva’s career in journalism began in 2007 at the newspaper *Kultura*, followed by a tenure as the press secretary for the State Duma’s Committee on Culture. Shifting her focus to film journalism in 2012, she has worked with major news agencies such as TASS and RIA Novosti, and contributed to prominent outlets including *Vedomosti*, *KinoPoisk*, and *Afiša Daily*. Since joining Kino-Teatr.Ru in 2017, she has served as news editor and director of partnership projects. Her industry involvement includes serving on the selection committee for the ‘Koroche’ short film festival since 2023 and being appointed program director for the ‘Pilot’ series festival starting in 2025.
“Maria has been an integral part of shaping our editorial policy for years, effectively managing many of these responsibilities already. She is a top-tier professional with a profound grasp of the industry landscape. I am thrilled she is taking full command of our editorial strategy. This transition allows me to concentrate on expanding our platform into new territories—strengthening partnerships with streaming services, driving audience and revenue growth, and advancing our in-house PR and marketing initiatives by leveraging Kino-Teatr.Ru’s decades of experience with both professionals and audiences,” Jean Prosyanov noted.
Founded in 2006, Kino-Teatr.Ru has grown into an essential hub for the entertainment industry. The portal provides daily coverage of premieres, festivals, and key cultural events, offering news, reviews, and analytical insights into the trajectory of Russian cinema. It houses the most extensive database of Russian actors, directors, and crew members, and is recognized as a socially significant digital resource. By 2025, the platform reached an average monthly audience of approximately 20 million users.
