Mayak Film Festival 2026 winners announced

The Mayak Festival of Contemporary Russian Cinema has concluded in Gelendzhik. This year, the grand prize was awarded to Malika, the poignant directorial debut of Natalya Uvarova.

The film centers on an Ingush family residing in Almaty. Twelve-year-old Malika (played by Izabella Khampieva) faces a harrowing dilemma: whether to thwart her mother Rosa’s (Marena Kharsieva) remarriage or yield to tradition and relocate to live with her father, as dictated by Islamic custom.

Malika made its international debut at last year’s Busan International Film Festival. Details regarding a wide release in Russian theaters have yet to be announced.

The jury for the main competition was presided over by the Oscar-nominated animator and director Konstantin Bronzit. The full list of honorees is provided below.

Grand Prix — Best Film:
Malika (dir. Natalya Uvarova)

Best Director:
Klavdiya Korshunova (Vanya)

Best Actor:
Pyotr Skvortsov (Golem)

Best Actress:
Vera Yengalycheva (Video Rental)

Best Debut:
It Was, It Wasn’t (dir. Tima Anisimov)

Best Screenplay:
Klavdiya Korshunova (Vanya)

Best Cinematography:
Timofey Lobov (Snow Falling)

Grand Prix — Best Short Film:
City of Owls (dir. Zhenya Kazankina)

Source: Film.ru