Russian presidential advisor Elena Yampolskaya has called for urgent action to eliminate illegal movie screenings in cinemas across Russia, warning that cinemas are using shadow distribution schemes to show films without official permits.
Speaking at a press briefing for journalists, Yampolskaya said the widespread practice of showing unlicensed feature films under the guise of pre-show advertising is deeply concerning and must be addressed comprehensively.
Under Russian law, any cinema must obtain an official distribution certificate from the Ministry of Culture before screening a movie publicly. Yampolskaya explained that while pre-screening service is legally intended for showing commercial advertisements for 15 to 20 minutes, theatre operators are illegally using it to screen full-length feature films lasting two to two and a half hours.
She noted that operating without a distribution certificate exposes cinemas to financial fines and the administrative suspension of their business operations. Beyond regulatory violations, Yampolskaya warned that unapproved screenings pose broader risks, noting that cinemas could show dangerous content rather than mainstream titles such as Spider-Man. She added that foreign producers whom she described as friends and partners create numerous films, including works that contain slanderous material.
Shadow Revenues and Enforcement
Yampolskaya raised concerns about the financial scale of grey market cinema operations, questioning where ticket sales money is directed after industry estimates cited amounts reaching up to 8 billion rubles. She stressed that it is completely abnormal for shadow schemes to operate on a permanent basis within the theatrical market.
Under existing legislation, only the Ministry of Culture holds the authority to monitor compliance and inspect movie venues. However, Yampolskaya acknowledged that ministry personnel cannot physically visit every cinema hall in the country.
To solve the enforcement bottleneck, she proposed granting public control powers to third-party organisations, allowing them to gather evidence and report infractions directly to the ministry and law enforcement agencies.
The Ministry of Culture oversees state cinematography policy and issues distribution certificates in Russia, while the Cinema Fund provides federal financial support for domestic film production. Yampolskaya, a former journalist who previously chaired the State Duma Culture Committee, serves as an advisor on cultural policy to the President of the Russian Federation.
Yampolskaya insisted that resolving the illegal screening issue requires coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Culture, the Cinema Fund, and representatives from the professional film community.
