A team of young filmmakers from the Republic of Tatarstan has won 1.7 million rubles in the documentary film competition “Russia – A View to the Future”, organized by the Federal Project for the Development of Culture (FPRK). The Kazan-based team were the only representatives from the region to become laureates of the competition and plan to shoot a film centered on family values and Tatar cultural heritage.

A Unique Village in Udmurtia

The film will focus on Kestym, a 340-year-old Tatar village in Udmurtia that stands out for a unique reason—most of its residents share the same surname: Kasimov. This is no coincidence: the villagers are descendants of a clan tracing its lineage back to Prince Kasim. The village honors its ancestral roots and surname with pride, and each year holds a reunion festival that attracts relatives from near and far, turning the small village into a local tourist destination.

“We want to tell the story of an extraordinary Tatar village in Udmurtia where, for over 300 years, nearly all residents bear the same surname—Kasimov. It’s a unique case of unity and preservation of one’s lineage. This is valuable not only to the Tatar people but to Russia as a whole,”
says Amir Galiaskarov, the film’s creator and director.

Themes and Goals of the Film

The film aims to explore the daily life of Tatar families with the Kasimov surname in the 21st century. It will delve into:

• Family traditions

• Festivals and holidays

• Daily routines and cultural practices

• The broader context of Tatar identity and heritage

An open screening for young audiences is planned in Kazan upon the film’s completion.

Competition and Support

The 1.7 million rubles awarded will fund the film’s production. In addition to financial support, the winning projects will receive:

• Legal and production guidance

• Media support

• Promotion at film festivals

The competition “Russia – A View to the Future” is FPRK’s flagship initiative, held annually since its inception in 2022. It aligns with the goals of the national project “Youth and Children”, and is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

This year, winning entries came from 24 regions across the country, with film shoots scheduled in 30 federal subjects of Russia.

Source: minmol.tatarstan.ru