Diamond Butterfly Film Award — A New Symbol of Creative Unity to Shine in Moscow

Moscow — The world of cinema is set to welcome a prestigious new recognition: the Diamond Butterfly Open Eurasian Film Award, whose grand gala ceremony will take place in Moscow later this year.

The award’s mission is to remind filmmakers and audiences alike of the true essence of cinema — to promote human values, culture, and shared heritage, while placing commercial success in the background. The initiative celebrates films that preserve their nations’ culture, history, and traditions, offering spiritual and artistic inspiration across borders.

A New Global Stage for Creative Excellence

The Diamond Butterfly Award is already drawing comparisons to the Oscars, not only for its scale but also for its vision. It stands as the flagship project of the Eurasian Academy of Cinematographic Arts, which brings together film professionals from around the world to foster creativity, cultural dialogue, and support for national film industries.

Supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Russian Cultural Foundation, the award marks a historic moment for Eurasian cinema. It symbolizes unity in diversity and serves as a platform for countries that seek to uphold traditional values and respect national identities.

Endorsed by President Vladimir Putin

The creation of the Eurasian Film Academy and its international award has received official backing from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who highlighted its educational and cultural potential:

“The idea of creating such an academy has attracted great interest within the professional community. The Eurasian Film Academy will not only promote the development of national film industries but will also host educational programs, master classes, student exchanges, and joint projects — allowing young filmmakers to better understand one another.”

Visionary Leadership from Nikita Mikhalkov

Renowned filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov, the initiator and visionary behind the Film Academy, emphasized the broader role of cinema in society: “The Eurasian Film Academy will defend the importance of cinema and its influence on the life of every person in every country.”

Global Participation and Prestigious Prizes

More than 20 countries have already applied to join the Academy, with 30 films submitted for consideration. The final list of participating countries and nominees will be revealed in October 2025.

The winners will receive significant cash prizes — the Best Picture Award winner will take home a prize equivalent to $1 million, while other category winners will receive $250,000 each.

Each laureate will also be presented with the award’s stunning symbol — the Diamond Butterfly statuette, crafted by world-renowned artist Yuri Kuper. Each masterpiece is adorned with nearly 5,000 diamonds and stands as a shining emblem of cinematic brilliance.

Kuper’s works have been exhibited in over 50 major galleries worldwide, including the Tretyakov Gallery, Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, and leading museums in Paris, New York, and Geneva.

Comments