Category: GazProm

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Pupils from the Pokrovsky Kvartal School and film college students visited the NTV television channel's set for the seventh season of the show "Mask." The excursion was part of Gazprom-Media Holding's educational and practical project "PROfnavigator."

The children visited the filming studio and a mobile television studio, saw behind the scenes, learned about the filming process from the inside, looked at the original costumes of the show's participants, went on stage, and followed the path of a "Mask" participant.

Students from the media class and film college also took part in the show's filming. They weren't just spectators, but actively supported the crew, applauding and observing the director and cameramen at work. It was a wonderful opportunity to witness the behind-the-scenes of the popular show, interact with industry professionals, watch the show's judges at work, and recharge with energy from the performances of their favorite masks.

The students' participation in the show was part of the "Media Class in a Moscow School" project and Gazprom-Media Holding's "PROfnavigator" educational and practical project, which introduces students to the media industry and develops initial professional skills in this field. NTV is part of Gazprom-Media Holding.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On March 27, International Theatre Day, the Golden Masks presented special prizes to laureates for the development and support of theatrical art. A total of 14 laureates received special prizes. Vladimir Mashkov, President of the Golden Mask Awards and Festival, opened the awards ceremony. Gazprom-Media Holding is the media partner of the Golden Mask Awards and Festival.

"Today, we recognize the achievements of those who have made a significant contribution to the development of theatrical art and provided it with invaluable support. This ceremony is special because it is taking place in the year of the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia, whose flagship project is the Golden Mask… We honor laureates from various parts of Russia – Vologda, Arkhangelsk, Ulan-Ude, Tver, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Moscow. This once again underscores that the richness of Russian theater lies in its unity, born of geographical and creative diversity."

Vladimir Mashkov, People's Artist of Russia, Chairman of the Union of Theatre Workers

He thanked those who support the Golden Mask award and festival: the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Moscow Department of Culture, the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives, Sber, and the Metropol Hotel.

The awards ceremony was held for the first time in the Metropol's Historical Hall. The idea for this building was conceived by Savva Mamontov, a philanthropist who made a significant contribution to the development of Russian culture; he dreamed of creating a space in the center of Moscow where various art forms could come together. The hotel's halls continue to host important cultural events. The ceremony was hosted by Vadim Vernik.

Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Sergey Pershin read a greeting from Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova. "In the year of the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation, this celebratory event takes on special significance. Theater has always served as a spiritual support, a home for the arts, where everyone can find inspiration and learn new things, gain a closer understanding of the history and traditions of our multinational country, and better understand the great works of Russian and world classics," the Minister of Culture noted.

The special prize for the development of theatrical art was awarded to Irina Muravyova, Lyudmila Chursina, Sergei Migitsko, Alexander Voroshilo, Boris Lyubimov, Mikhail Levitin, Veronika Kosenkova, Nina Ryzhova (Tumanova), Boris Granatov, Viktor Panov, and Naina Khonina.

Irina Muravyova admitted she'd dreamed of such an award. "I've wanted the Mask all these years, but I pretended I didn't care. And just when that desire had somehow passed me by, I received it. Thank you so much! There's just one problem: I'm afraid to wake up in the morning and start loving myself in art, and art in myself, so I don't think it'll happen. It (the Golden Mask) will hang, I'll keep playing, everything will remain the same."

Boris Lyubimov, President of the M.S. Shchepkin Higher Theatre School at the Maly Theatre and Secretary of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation, noted the relevance of this art form today. "Life is changing. It's changing in every way: for good and for bad. And in the theatre world, too, of course. I think people who went to/lived in the theatre in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s won't recognize their favorite theaters; they might be disappointed or disillusioned. But on the other hand, the dynamic of theatre life certainly exists. What I've seen in recent years: I haven't seen empty auditoriums, let alone half-empty ones, or even a quarter-empty ones."

Vladimir Mashkov, president of the award and festival, especially thanked those who support theatrical art. The Golden Mask laureates included Rustam Minnikhanov, head of the Republic of Tatarstan, Fanny Ardant, French theater and film actress, and, for the first time in the award's history, the city of Moscow. They were awarded "for their support of theatrical art."

Vladimir Mashkov emphasized that theater is given enormous attention in Russia. No other country in the world has such a large number of state theaters, and, of course, the largest number are located in the capital. "For the first time in history, we are awarding the most theatrical city, and a city is, first and foremost, its people," said Vladimir Mashkov. The award was presented to Alexander Fokin, Head of the Theater Department of the Moscow Department of Culture. He announced that the Golden Mask award will be kept at the Museum of Moscow.

Actress Fanny Ardant was unable to attend the ceremony, but recorded a video message for the evening's participants: "To enter the magical circle of theatre-makers means transcending all boundaries. It means speaking a common language, expanding your perceptions, and opening your hearts. It means creating an invisible, yet continuous and indestructible bond between all who passionately love theatre. You have awarded me this prize. It is a tremendous joy for me. It is such a magnificent gift. I thank you so much."

Vladimir Mashkov, in turn, stated that the award was given to a great friend of Russia. "We want to present this award to a great friend of Russia, whose name has long been a symbol of French cinema and theater. I am, of course, speaking of Fanny Ardant. Her work is a reminder that true great art knows no boundaries," he said.

The Golden Mask award will be presented to Rustam Minnikhanov by Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan. She noted that the regional authorities hold theatrical art in high regard and strive to create the best possible conditions for its development. "It is even more honorable that this Mask is being presented in the year of the 120th anniversary of our Tatar theater," the minister added.

At the end of the ceremony, a thematic Troika card was presented, timed to coincide with the ceremony and World Theatre Day. It is dedicated to the Russian National Theatre Award, the Golden Mask.

We remind you that the 32nd festival season of the Golden Mask Award and Festival is underway in Moscow and the regions. The winners will be determined and announced at the Awards Ceremony, which will take place in late June in Omsk, the 2026 cultural capital. Applications are also being accepted for the new competition cycle. Performances that premiered between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026, are eligible for the 33rd season.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

“Dear Vladimir Viktorovich!

I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday!

Your managerial talent, ability to see the future, grasp the essence of changes happening around you, and find an approach to people allow you to achieve success in the difficult task of managing large communications projects, to which you have remained faithful for many years.

Under your leadership, the Aura team performs its assigned tasks at a high level, delivering excellent results in any area of communications work: whether it be traditional or digital communications, information support for large projects, including international ones, advertising campaigns, and much more.

I wish you continued professional growth, a multitude of exciting and innovative projects, and the continued support of friends, colleagues, and loved ones! Alexander Zharov, General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Gazprom-Media Holding and the Indian company Eleeanora Images Privet Limited have signed a cooperation agreement. The document was signed by the holding's CEO, Alexander Zharov, and the Managing Director of Eleeanora Images Privet Limited, renowned Indian director and producer Neela Panda.

The agreement cemented the parties' intentions to collaborate in film production. The partners plan to jointly develop scripts and creative concepts for films, as well as pool their efforts in project financing. Plans include organizing filming in Russia and India with the participation of creative and technical specialists from both countries, as well as collaborating on post-production, marketing, and distribution in Russia, India, and other markets.

"This agreement establishes a systemic nature for our collaboration with our Indian partners. We're reaching a new level: not just occasional collaboration, but full-fledged cooperation—from content development to screen release. India is one of the fastest-growing media markets in the world, and it's important for us to build long-term relationships with players who understand local specifics and possess real expertise. I'm confident that combining our resources and expertise will enable us to create projects that will find audiences in both Russia and India."

Alexander Zharov, General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding

The document was signed during the Indian delegation's visit to the Gazprom-Media Holding office. The negotiations focused on the terms of the joint production of the film "Anna Pavlova," as well as Gazprom-Media Holding's assistance in implementing Eleeanora Images' projects in Russia.

"I'm very optimistic about this collaboration. Gazprom-Media understands how to make films for a large audience, while respecting the creative approach. For me, this is the perfect balance. I see that we can grow together—both as producers and as a creative team. I'm confident that exciting joint projects await us."

Nila Panda, Managing Director, Eleeanora Images Privet Limited

The signing of the agreement marks a continuation of Gazprom-Media Holding's strategy to develop its partnership with India. In early 2025, the holding signed agreements with Indian media companies Only Much Louder and Quantext Media Private Limited, and on the sidelines of the Russian-Indian Business Forum in December 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed with state broadcaster Prasar Bharati.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Children's Radio was awarded the Russian Presidential Prize in Culture for its works and projects for children and young people. The awards ceremony took place in the Kremlin on March 25, Culture Workers' Day in Russia.

Today, Children's Radio is a large-scale multimedia ecosystem that combines traditional broadcast practices with the most advanced digital technologies. The station was the first in the country to bring its virtual characters—Vesnushka and Kipyatosha—to life using mapping, and their adventures were transformed into Russia's first cartooncast—an audio podcast animated by neural networks. Technology here helps discuss important topics—native language, literature, and values—in a language children understand. Through interactive formats, millions of children discover classic literature and significant chapters in history. Key projects include the transmedia universe of detective podcasts "KhRUM" (approximately 300 million listens in 2025*) with theatrical productions, the educational series "Bukvoed" and "Explain, Alexander Sergeevich!", and the intergenerational project "I Remember!" "I'm Proud!" tours of the radio station (over 28,000 guests in three years**), as well as large-scale "Children's Radio Discos," which attract tens of thousands of spectators to major venues across the country, and the company's own music label, "Hurray! Music," which has become a professional platform for young talent.

"The Russian President's Culture Award for works and projects for children and young people represents high state recognition for the systematic work of our radio division at Gazprom-Media Holding. For us, Children's Radio is more than just one brand in the holding's portfolio; it's a social project, a strategic investment in the future. The values we pass on to our children will largely determine what Russia will be like in 20–30 years. Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing media environment for children, where culture, history, classical literature, music, and modern audio formats all work together toward one goal: shaping the tastes and cultural codes of future adults."

Alexander Zharov, General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding

"We see this award as confirmation that Children's Radio has become a significant phenomenon in the country's cultural life. We will continue to do what we do best: offer children and their parents a truly meaningful and modern media product that combines education and entertainment, emotion and meaning, tradition and innovation. This is our service to culture, our contribution to the future of Russia, and today, with this prestigious award, we are even more motivated to move forward."

Vadim Tereshchuk General Director of GPM Radio

The Presidential Prize of the Russian Federation in Culture for works and projects for children and youth represents the highest recognition of the contributions of cultural figures and organizations to the state and society in educating and nurturing the younger generation. The decision to award the prize is made by the head of state based on proposals from the Presidential Council for Culture.

Children's Radio was among the first recipients of the updated award for achievements in culture for children and youth. The corresponding changes were approved by the Decree of the President of Russia dated October 6, 2025, "On Certain Issues of State Policy in the Sphere of Culture." According to the document, not only individuals but also cultural organizations that have achieved significant success in educating and nurturing the younger generation can now nominate for the award.

* Data from internal analytics of GPM Radio (statistics from the Children's Radio website, streaming services – Yandex Music, Apple Podcast, Zvuk, YouTube, CastBox, January 1 – November 30, 2025).

** Internal statistical data of GPM Radio for 2022-2025.

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The fate of the year's main film awards was decided at the Mossovet Theatre, and the atmosphere was especially heated. While the Academy members opened the envelopes, we caught the thrilling moments in the audience, feeling proud and, of course, very excited!

The main favorite: The film "The Prophet. The Story of Alexander Pushkin" by director Felix Umarov led the way in terms of number of nominations, with 11 categories in total.

The main contenders for the title of best feature film: – "August" – "The Wind" – "Yura Was Here" – "Lermontov" – "The Prophet. The Story of Alexander Pushkin"

The battle of the Titans for Best Actor unfolded between the outstanding actors:

Sergei Bezrukov in the film "August" Yura Borisov in the film "The Prophet" Konstantin Khabensky in the film "Yura Was Here"

And here they are, our winners! DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR: Felix Umarov (director) — "The Prophet. The Story of Alexander Pushkin"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Vladimir Mashkov – “He wasn’t on the list”

BEST FILM EDITING: Maria Likhacheva, "The Prophet: The Story of Alexander Pushkin"

BEST FILM MUSIC: Ryan Otter – "The Prophet: The Story of Alexander Pushkin"

BEST ARTIST'S WORK: Sergey Agin — "The Wizard of the Emerald City. Yellow Brick Road"

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Tatyana Patrakhaltseva – "The Prophet. The Story of Alexander Pushkin"

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The goal of the media market today is audience attention. Choice is expanding, and people's time is becoming the most scarce resource. It is precisely around this that large media corporations are currently reorganizing, stated Alexander Zharov.

The attention economy has become a new KPI for the media business: it's important not just to create content, but to retain audiences and monetize their attention across all platforms. This explains Gazprom-Media's three focus areas for the coming years: premium content, digital service development, and strengthening its presence in foreign markets.

RUTUBE is showing impressive growth: the platform's advertising revenue last year exceeded 2.2 billion rubles, a fourfold increase. Around 2.4 million pieces of content are uploaded to the platform daily. The number of channels increased by 45% year-on-year, from 2.7 million in February 2025 to 3.9 million today.

When creating new projects, the focus is not on quantity but on potential: the content must be effective on air, online, and during the subsequent rights sales phase. Alexander Zharov cites the potential acquisition of broadcast rights for the upcoming FIFA World Cup as one of his priorities. At the same time, the holding is also open to exploring new sports, from judo and tennis to padel.

Should we expect partnerships with marketplaces? Definitely yes. The logic is clear: some have the money, traffic, and ambition, while others have the platforms, content, and audience attention. And is the future for sale? Read Alexander Zharov's extensive interview with Kommersant.

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The sixth season of the International Prize was launched on March 18.

The launch of the Award was announced by Sergei Kiriyenko, co-chair of the organizing committee and First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, at the 30/09 Youth Center in Donetsk, a city that was a finalist in two Award categories last year. Currently, the 30/09 Youth Center is hosting the "Days of Horlivka," where residents of the city are sharing their projects and holding events dedicated to volunteerism.

"Award

Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia

The sixth season of the Award is dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, as well as the International Year of Volunteers, declared by the UN.

"The award was created during the coronavirus pandemic to recognize volunteers and caring individuals who risked their lives to help those in need. Over the past six years, the award

Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh

The national section of the award accepts applications from four categories of participants: individuals (volunteers and mentors), projects and NGOs, businesses and territories (regions of the Russian Federation, cities, single-industry towns, and municipalities promoting volunteerism). Applications are accepted in 12 nominations for projects on various topics (Heroes of Our Time, Sustainable Future, Generation of Good, Code of Mercy, Land of Opportunity, and others). The international section has only two nominations: Code of Mercy and Sustainable Future. Any legal entity or individual can submit applications.

"The new season of the Award includes a number of innovations. First and foremost, this is the introduction of a special category, "The Power of Unity," dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. This category is open to projects that help people of different cultures work together, preserve traditions, and strengthen social harmony. Furthermore, artificial intelligence will be used for the first time in evaluating applications—as an additional analytical tool for the jury, without influencing the final decision."

Artem Metelev, member of the Prize organizing committee, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy, director of Dobro.rf

The event at the 30/09 Youth Center in Donetsk, where the Prize was launched, became part of the humanitarian mission of the Prize finalists and semi-finalists.

The launch ceremony of the Prize was also attended by State Secretary and Deputy Head of Rosmolodezh Denis Ashirov, Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin, General Director of the Znanie Society Maksim Dreval, Mayor of Horlivka Ivan Prikhodko, and the Prize finalists and semi-finalists.

Prize

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Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

"One of the greatest privileges is to bring joy and a good mood to people. This is precisely what the team at the full-service production center of the Friday TV channel has been working toward for the past ten years."

Culinary, intellectual, and romantic reality shows, children's and game shows, projects about the service industry—all of this is produced so that our beloved viewers, at any free moment, can press a button on the remote, click a mouse, or touch a smartphone screen and catch that very Friday mood—light, cozy, and cheerful.

I wish the entire Studio Pyatnitsa team inexhaustible creative ideas, the energy to bring them to fruition, and the loyalty of their viewers!

Alexander Zharov, General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding

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"In the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the 12th St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures will allow us to present high-level plans for programs aimed at preserving cultural diversity and traditions, exchange experiences with representatives of friendly countries on ways to preserve the uniqueness of cultures, traditions, and worldviews, as well as measures to counter the threat of extinction of minority cultures and promote the principles of justice and equality in relations between peoples. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that national culture can develop and be enriched only through interaction with other cultures. Our country was initially shaped as a multinational nation, and it is this invaluable gift that has defined its unique cultural palette and its status as a truly great power in its art, science, and literature." Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.