The International Children`s Film Festival “Khrustalny IstochnikЪ” (Crystal Spring) recently concluded in Yessentuki, a picturesque spa city in Russia`s North Caucasus region. While the festival featured a competition for professional full-length films, a particularly noteworthy and arduous challenge was set for the young participants: create and shoot a ten-minute short film in just three days, utilizing the diverse landscapes of the North Caucasus.
This year marked the festival`s foray into international territory, though its scope remained focused, primarily involving child filmmaking teams from Armenia and incorporating professional entries from India and co-productions from Russia and Belarus. The inclusion of young international talent alongside established industry names underscores the festival`s commitment to fostering the next generation of cinematic artists.
The Rigors of Rapid Filmmaking
The “Kinokampus-Deti” (Film Campus – Children) short film competition placed extraordinary demands on the young crews. Tasked with everything from final scripting to shooting within a tight 72-hour window, the children demonstrated remarkable energy and dedication. They worked for a cumulative total of 330 hours across more than 50 locations scattered throughout Yessentuki and its environs, including the historical Yessentuki Park known for its preserved Soviet-era charm, the slopes of Mount Mashuk, and the nearby cities of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk. The sheer scale of their logistical and creative undertaking is perhaps best illustrated by a rather hydrated detail: the teams reportedly consumed over two tons of water during the intense three-day shoot. Whether this statistic reflects the demanding Caucasian heat or simply enthusiastic hydration, it paints a vivid picture of the effort involved.
The jury for the children`s competition featured a mix of seasoned professionals and burgeoning young talent. The main festival jury was chaired by veteran director and actor Vladimir Grammatikov, known for his children`s films. However, for the “Kinokampus-Deti” awards, the esteemed director ceded his chair to 13-year-old actress Sofia Petrova, who boasts an impressive filmography of over 45 titles despite her young age. She was joined by 14-year-old actor Stanislav Solomatin, also an experienced performer, cinematographer Alexey Fedorov (a frequent collaborator of Alexander Sokurov), and actor-director Ilya Ermolov.
Awards and Recognitions
Among the short films produced under pressure, the 10-minute film “Flying is Not Necessary,” created by the “Actor” children`s training studio from Moscow, was recognized for its professionalism, earning an award in the short film section. Set in Yessentuki, the film explores the theme of human aspiration, aiming for the stars.
In the main professional competition, the top honor, the Grand Prix for Best Film, went to “Evacuation” by Kazakh director Farhat Sharipov, which was also recognized for Best Directing and Best Cinematography. Many of the professional films from Russia and Kazakhstan presented stories set on the home front during the Second World War, reflecting a shared historical narrative.
Standing apart thematically was the Indian debut feature “Gandhi and Grandpa`s Tree” by Padmavati Malladi. This film, which tells the story of a girl named Gandhi fighting to save a tree planted in honor of Mahatma Gandhi from corporate development, earned its director the award for Best Screenplay. The film`s lead, 14-year-old Sukriti Veni Bandareddi (daughter of acclaimed Telugu director Sukumar), received the award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the 12-year-old protagonist.
The award for Best Actor was presented to 15-year-old Mark-Malik Murashkin for his role in the Russia-Belarus co-production “Karuza,” directed by debut filmmaker Ivan Kharatyan, son of famous Russian actor Dmitry Kharatyan. “Karuza,” a film centering around a dog affectionately named after the legendary Italian singer Enrico Caruso (with a slightly modified spelling for her gender), also proved to be a crowd favorite, winning the Audience Award.
Finally, the President of the festival, Evklid Kyurdzidis, presented his special award to the film “The Postman” by Andrey Razenkov, featuring Alexander Petrov in the leading role. Producer Elena Yatsura accepted the award on behalf of the film.
The Khrustalny IstochnikЪ festival provided a dynamic platform for both emerging young talent and established filmmakers, highlighting diverse stories and the enduring spirit of cinema, even under the tight deadlines and vast hydration requirements of a Caucasus summer.
