[1] From 2017 the festival is supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture and the British Council[2] and is aimed to promote Russian film to international audiences, stimulate European-Russian film production collaboration and build cultural links between Russia and the UK.

The programme of the Russian Film Week includes a number of satellite events, such as the Co-production Day (Russian: День Копродукции), master-classes by the award-winning filmmakers, round tables, lectures, exhibitions and other entertainment events for film-makers, distributors and audiences from both Russia and Europe.

[3][4] In 2016, the invited filmmakers included Anna Melikyan,[5] Renata Litvinova, Alexey Uchitel, Johnny O’Reilly, Vera Glagoleva and the founder of the Raindance Film Festival Elliot Grove, who is also one of the patrons of the Russian Film Week.

[6][7] The Golden Unicorn Awards ceremony concludes the festival to recognise excellence in 11 categories plus a special award and is held in the format of a Charity Gala in support of a chosen charity - in 2016 this was the Gift of Life UK.

Director - Alexander Hant Best Screenplay: How Viktor “The Garlic” Took Alexey “The Stud” to the Nursing Home Best Actor: Evgeny Tkachuk (How Viktor “The Garlic” Took Alexey “The Stud” to the Nursing Home) Best Actress: Irina Starshenbaum (Summer) Best Emerging Talent: Timothy Zhalin, Director (Coupled) Best Documentary: INTO Nation of the Great Odessa Best Short Film: The sign Best Foreign Film with a Russian connection: Sergio & Sergei Best Foreign Documentary Film: A Sniper’s War The inaugural Russian Film Week events were held at several venues across London and at Cambridge University.