Diamond Butterfly Film Award to Premiere in Moscow on November 24

Moscow, Russia- November 24, 2025; The first-ever Diamond Butterfly Open Eurasian Film Award will be held in Moscow, celebrating films that promote culture, values, and national traditions over commercial success.

Backed by the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Russian Cultural Foundation, the award aims to unite filmmakers from across the world under the Eurasian Academy of Cinematographic Arts. The event is already being compared to the Oscars for its scale and ambition.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed the initiative, calling it “a major step for the development of national film industries and international cooperation.”

The award’s creator, Nikita Mikhalkov, said the academy will “defend the importance of cinema and its influence on people’s lives worldwide.”

More than 20 countries have applied to join the academy, with 30 films submitted so far. Winners will receive cash prizes - $1 million for Best Picture and $250,000 for other categories.

Each winner will also receive the award’s symbol, the Diamond Butterfly, a statuette adorned with nearly 5,000 diamonds, designed by renowned artist Yuri Kuper.