 | |
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Awards | Golden Unicorn Awards |
| Language | Russian, English |
| Website | www |
Russian Film Week was an annual film festival in London that ran from 2016 until 2018 or 2019. The festival screened Russian and co-produced films and concluded with the Golden Unicorn Awards ceremony.
History
[edit]Russian Film Week and the Golden Unicorn Awards were founded by Filip Perkon in 2016 in London,[1] run by Perkon Productions Ltd with a group of volunteers on a non-profit basis. In 2017, the Russian Ministry of Culture, along with Synergy University (a private university in Moscow, Russia's largest private education provider[2]), and the British Film Institute began supporting the event.[3] From 2017 the festival was supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture[4] to promote Russian film to international audiences and build cultural links between Russia and the UK.
In December 2025, journalist Brian Krebs published an investigation revealing connections between Russian Film Week, the Golden Unicorn Awards, their founder Filip Perkon, influence operations by the Russian Government, and drone production for Russia's war against Ukraine.[2] He found that Perkon held director positions in several UK subsidiaries of Synergy University. Synergy's president, Vadim Lobov, served as a sponsor and co-producer of the two events,[2] and the university was an official co-organizer of the awards.[5] The university operates a division that develops combat drones for Russian forces in Ukraine.[2] Around 2015, Perkon developed a social media propaganda tool called the Russian Diplomatic Online Club. During the Brexit referendum, the Russian Embassy in London used the tool to amplify the Russian ambassador's posts from supporters' accounts.[2][6]
Both Russian Film Week and the Golden Unicorn Awards appear to have been "cancelled until further notice" since 2018 or 2019.[7][8]
Description
[edit]The festival screens Russian and co-produced films and concludes with the Golden Unicorn Awards ceremony.[9]
The inaugural Russian Film Week events were held at several venues across London and at Cambridge University.[10]
The 2018 awards ceremony took place at the Sheraton Park Lane London.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Russian Film Week & Golden Unicorn Awards". 5 December 2016. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Krebs, Brian (8 December 2025). "Drones to Diplomas: How Russia's Largest Private University is Linked to a $25M Essay Mill". KrebsOnSecurity. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ "Russian Film Week returns to London in 2018!". 24 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ "Russian Film Week". www.russianfilmweek.org. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ "Russian Film Week 2017 in the UK". Afisha London. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ "Intelligence watchdog urged to look at Russian influence on Brexit vote". The Guardian. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ "Main". Russian Film Week. 19 November 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ "Golden Unicorn Awards". goldenunicornaward.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ "Russian Film Week Launches in London". Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ "Russian Film Festival in CambridgeCambridge Russian-Speaking Society". www.camruss.com. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ "Natalia Vodianova The Golden Unicorn Awards". Ikon London Magazine. Retrieved 1 December 2018.