Filmmakers from Russia's Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) are making their first organized appearance at Hong Kong FilMart. They are presenting a booth featuring more than 20 projects across genres like horror, thrillers, comedy and drama. The event is organized by the Sakha Filmmakers Assn.
Filmmakers from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia, Russia) have launched their first coordinated industry presence at Hong Kong FilMart. Organized by the Sakha Filmmakers Assn., the delegation features a regional booth showcasing over 20 projects, including horror, supernatural thrillers, comedy and socially driven dramas. This marks a significant step for a film sector known as “Sakhawood,” which has emerged as one of Russia’s most distinctive cinematic movements in the past decade. The remote, frigid region draws on northern landscapes, indigenous mythology and local traditions in its storytelling, fostering unexpectedly robust production despite harsh conditions. The group includes directors, producers and industry leaders offering completed films for international sales and works in development. Key attendees are Stepan Burnashev (“Penthouse”), who heads the association; Semyon Amanatov (“Where the Cranes Dance,” “Speed Star”); Apollinariya Degtyareva (“Presence”); Stepan Poryadin (“Speed Star,” “Agent Mambo”); Vasily Sleptsov (“Give Me Flowers,” “The Summer Will End,” “Et”); and Sandal Baishev (“Diodorova. Against the Current”). Burnashev emphasized the broader goals: “This is an opportunity to present our cinema to the world, show our films, talk about our culture and start new international collaborations.” He highlighted interest from partners in Sakha cinema’s “unique style” and production quality. Among the projects, Baishev’s sports biopic “Diodorova. Against the Current,” about Paralympic finalist Anastasia Diodorova, stands out. It ranked among last year’s top Russian releases, recouping its budget more than eight times over at the domestic box office.
