This week on Girls On Film, we are celebrating the Russian Film Festival 2021, a month-long online festival in collaboration with ROSKINO. First, critic Hanna Flint joins Anna to discuss two of the female-directed films in the festival, Doctor Liza and Masha. Anna and Hanna ponder the clever use of levity and humour alongside harrowing subjects, and the stark realism in both of the films. They also talk about how exciting it is to see depictions of post-Soviet Russia on screen, in contrast to the period pieces we are accustomed to. Next, Anna talks to Evgenia Markova, the CEO of Roskino. Evgenia and Anna discuss the specific selection for RFF in London, how online platforms are opening up opportunities for female filmmakers in Russia, and the particular experiences that women creators bring into filmmaking. Evgenia gives a brilliant overview of how modern Russian film has been shaped by wider societal changes, and Roskino’s excitement for sharing Russian film internationally. The Russian Film Festival is showing online until the 10th of December 2021. Ten notable contemporary Russian films across various genres are available to watch on BFI Player Subscription with English subtitles.