The XI International Festival of Children’s and Family Cinema “Zero Plus” took place in Tyumen. The TV BRICS International Media Network acted as an international media partner of the event.

One of the central events of the festival was the International Forum “Film Pedagogy. BRICS+”. Its participants included teachers and pedagogues, cultural figures, filmmakers and experts from all over the world.

Professional development courses, experience exchange events and master classes were organised for the guests of the forum. In addition, during the plenary session “The current state of cinema and media education system in Russia and in the world” the strategy of using audiovisual content in the pedagogical and academic sphere was discussed.

The meeting resulted in a decision to establish the BRICS Educational Film and Media Association (BEFMA). It is expected that this organisation will promote the introduction of best practices and methodologies in the field of film pedagogy, as well as support projects in education, science and culture.

Under the auspices of BEFMA, it is planned to create a special BRICS film channel, hold festivals of educational films from the BRICS countries, and develop courses and training programmes.

In addition, the festival programme included feature-length, short and animated films. The TV BRICS International Media Network presented the works of directors from the BRICS+ countries. The special programme included such films as Andrey Porshnyak’s “The Golden Coast of the Arctic” International Media Network’s project, Emir Valinejad’s Iranian film “Noqte”, “The Adventures of Tita” directed by Eduardo Padrao, and “Everyone Has an Angel” directed by Nail Armstrong, as well as Argentine film “Alan from Patagonia” and others.

In an exclusive commentary to TV BRICS, Nail Armstrong, director of the animated film Everyone Has an Angel from the Alba and Ghosts series, shared his impressions of the event.

“It was with great joy that we received the news that we are taking part in the Zero Plus International Film Festival. The event is fully in line with our goals of spreading joy and peace, nurturing goodness, love and justice. Alba helps us to reflect on our fears and at the same time teaches us to solve all our problems with love and harmony, without losing our positive attitude and good mood. The festival allows us to present our culture and ideas to the world. I would also like to express my immense gratitude for BRICS initiatives to organise such events”

Nail Armstrong
Director, author of the film “Everyone Has an Angel”

The Zero Plus International Children’s and Family Film Festival has been held regularly since 2013. Each time it is visited by about 10 thousand guests, and online audiences number up to 100 thousand people. This year’s competition programme included 87 films from 29 countries.

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