Serbian director Goran Radovanovic has described the Open Eurasian Film Award Diamond Butterfly as a vital impulse for the development of world cinema after winning the Best Director award for his film The King of the Forest. His comments were released by Russian news agency TASS via the press service of the Russian Cultural Foundation.
Radovanovic said the award helps respect and preserve the unique identity of national cultures while fostering a universal cinematic language. He stated that by honoring authentic cultural identity, the Diamond Butterfly protects the soul of cinema and reminds filmmakers that true cinematic art must always put human beings and the truth of their feelings first.
The Serbian director added that the award was a major honour and a confirmation of the emotional and artistic work invested in the picture. He noted that the victory breathed new life into the future of the film, encouraging meaningful discussions among international audiences and attracting viewers who appreciate subtle, multilayered storytelling.
Radovanovic said the prize helped turn his personal artistic statement into part of a broader international cultural dialogue. He noted that the voice of The King of the Forest has resonated more loudly across the global film community, reaching viewers from Serbia to Russia, Portugal, China, Italy, and India. He stressed that it is essential to create spaces on stage and screen that affirm real humanity rather than political correctness.
Screenings in Russia, India, and Belarus
In 2025, The King of the Forest was featured in the open screening program for entries competing in the Diamond Butterfly awards. A total of 16,000 viewers watched the festival entries across 15 cities in Russia, India, and Belarus.
The film subsequently opened international screenings in Serbia in 2026, extending its reach following its festival success.
Establishment of the Eurasian film awards
Prominent Russian film director Nikita Mikhalkov first proposed creating the Diamond Butterfly awards in 2022, describing the initiative as necessary for the development of the Eurasian cultural space. The official presentation of the Eurasian Academy of Cinematic Arts and the Open Eurasian Film Award Diamond Butterfly took place on April 22, 2025, at Mikhalkov's Workshop 12 theater in Moscow.
The inaugural ceremony took place on November 27, 2025, with an expert panel of leading Russian filmmakers and film critics judging entries across 12 competition categories. The second annual award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Moscow on November 12, 2026.
Winners receive a diamond-studded butterfly trophy designed by artist Yuri Kuper. In addition to the statuette, the winner of the Best Film category at the first ceremony received a Yakutian diamond valued at $1 million, while winners in the remaining categories each received a Yakutian diamond worth $250,000.
