On September 22, the opening of the 21st Baikal International Film Festival "Man and Nature" named after Valentin Rasputin took place at the cultural and leisure center "Khudozhestvenny". The organizers conceived the festival as a film platform that gives directors and viewers the opportunity to reflect on the complex relationship between man and nature.

The Minister of Culture and Archives of the Irkutsk Region Olesya Polunina made a welcoming speech:

"Today I once again confirm for myself that this festival has already gone beyond just an event event, for us it is a cultural, educational phenomenon that combines watching high–quality honest movies on the shore of Lake Baikal and a very good educational program - conversations, master classes, and creative meetings."

The opening of "Man and Nature" was held in the style of the Cannes Film Festival and Kinotavr. Famous directors, producers, screenwriters and guests of the festival, who specially came to Irkutsk to participate in this unique event, walked along the red carpet in the hall of the "Art". The organizers of the festival hope for the further development of popular science cinema in the capital of Eastern Siberia through such events.

Sergey Miroshnichenko, film director, President of the Film Festival:

The festival will feature 25 documentaries, feature films and popular science films. The largest number of works will be presented by Russia, and paintings from the USA, Iran, Slovakia and the UK will be shown.

Yuri Yashnikov, Irkutsk film director, producer:

"Our film company presents the film "Bez neba" directed by Anastasia Zverkova at this festival. This film participates in the competitive program of feature films."

The festival will be held on September 30, in addition to screenings and discussions of films, it will be possible to attend author's master classes from leading cinematographers and scientists.