Russia is set to launch the Open National Press Award, which will act as their alternative to the Golden Globes.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the ceremony will take place later this year, one that’s already been announced as “the year of cinema” in Russia. While the Golden Globes are traditionally decided on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the new Russian awards will be chosen by exclusively local press.
“Russian journalists [have] a considerable input in popularising contemporary national cinema, and their critical evaluation contributes to increasing quality and competitiveness of our cinema,” said Oleg Ivanov, first deputy chairman of Russia’s film-makers’ union.
The awards are rumoured to take place as soon as March with categories and full details yet to be announced.
It follows talk from last year that Russian film-makers have called for an alternative Oscars ceremony and a Russian film festival that would screen at the exact same time and be modelled on Cannes. Last year also saw the news that Russia’s biggest film studio Mosfilm had secured £300m investment with the aim of restoring itself to its previous glory.
Russian drama Leviathan won a Golden Globe last year for best foreign language film and was nominated for an Oscar. The country has also partnered with Hollywood for a number of blockbusters in recent years but with little success. Critically derided adventure Seventh Son and underperforming Tom Clancy reboot Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit were among them.
