The 2025 State Prize of the Russian Federation in Literature and Arts has been awarded to Andrei Mikhalkov (Konchalovsky) for his contribution to the development of Russian and world culture.
Andrei Mikhalkov (Konchalovsky) was born on August 20, 1937 in Moscow. He is a film director and producer. He was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the RSFSR in 1980. He has been awarded the Order For Services to the Fatherland IV Degree in 1997. He is a recipient of the State Prize of the RSFSR named after the Vasilyev Brothers (1990) and the Government of the Russian Federation Prize in Culture (2017). He is a recipient of the Silver Lion award of the Venice Film Festival (2014, 2016), as well as various professional prizes and foreign state orders. He is President of the Russian Academy of Cinematographic Arts Nika and Chairman of the Creative Council of the Russian Military History Society.
Andrei Mikhalkov (Konchalovsky) is a director, screenwriter, and producer of more than 20 feature films that have become classics of Russian and world cinema, as well as television series, documentaries, and theatre productions based on classical works of world literature. His works reflect the spiritual and moral quests of humanity not only in the 20th century but also in the new millennium.
The 2025 State Prize of the Russian Federation in Literature and the Arts has been awarded to Maria USHAKOVA and Yekaterina ZHUKOVA for their long-standing educational work promoting Russian history.
Maria Ushakova was born on January 24, 1968 in Moscow. She is the chief producer of special television serial projects at VGTRK, Russia TV Channel. She is a producer of feature films and television series including Life and Fate, And Quiet Flows the Don, The Storm, Odessa Steamboat, and The Righteous. She is a recipient of professional awards and prizes.
Yekaterina Zhukova was born on September 5, 1958 in Moscow. She is a producer at Moskino Film Studio. She is a recipient of professional awards and prizes and has been awarded a prize by the Interior Ministry of Russia.
For more than ten years, Yekaterina Zhukova and Maria Ushakova have been engaged in the creation of television series depicting significant periods of Russian history and prominent historical figures. In productions such as Sophia, Godunov, Ivan the Terrible, Andrei Bogolyubsky, The Tsar’s Vaccine, Stolypin, and Chaliapin, strict adherence to historical facts, deep analysis of political contexts, and historical authenticity are combined with dynamic and engaging storytelling. Their aim is to introduce audiences to genuine Russian history, to present the country’s culture and traditions, and to foster patriotic values among young people.