Films from the first Open Eurasian Film Awards Diamond Butterfly will be screened in Sukhum, the capital of Abkhazia, from November 2 to November 6.
The press service of the Russian Cultural Foundation told TASS that the screenings will take place at the Rajden Gumba Abkhazian State Philharmonic. The five-day programme includes five motion pictures produced by filmmakers from Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, South Africa, and Kyrgyzstan, alongside creative meetings with cinema figures.
Director Andrei Zaitsev's film Two in One Life, Not Counting the Dog will open the programme. Veteran screen stars Svetlana Kryuchkova and Aleksandr Adabashyan each won Diamond Butterfly awards for their leading roles in the picture, taking the honours for best actress and best actor.
On November 3, 2026, the venue will show the Belarusian historical film The Black Castle, directed by Kirill Kuzin. Composer Yuri Poteenko earned the Diamond Butterfly trophy for best composer for his work on the production.
Screening Programme and Awards
Two films are scheduled for presentation on November 5. Audiences will see the Turkmen film The Composer, directed by Maksat Klychev, for which Meilis Khudaiberenov won the prize for best art direction, as well as the South African drama Old Righteous Blues, directed by Muneera Sallies. Screenwriter Carol Shore received a Diamond Butterfly for best screenplay for the South African project.
The festival programme concludes on November 6 with the Kyrgyz drama Dance with Mom!, directed by Dastan Madalbekov. The film previously emerged as one of the most popular titles among cinema goers during open screenings of Diamond Butterfly participant films held in 2025.
International Tour and Ticket Details
The Eurasian film prize was launched as an international cultural competition bringing together cinematic works from across the continent and partner countries. The Russian Cultural Foundation, a major arts organisation that promotes cultural initiatives and heritage, is organising the event in the Black Sea coastal city with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture.
The event in Abkhazia forms part of a wider international tour for the Diamond Butterfly showcase in 2026. Participant films have already been presented to audiences in Serbia and China as part of the overseas series. All screenings at the philharmonic hall are free of charge, with viewers required to complete advance registration before attending.
