Russia's largest film producers have received a draft set of recommendations for creating movies and series aimed at 'preserving and strengthening the strong family,' RBC reported, citing sources and a copy of the document. The guide concerns media content that aligns with 'traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.'
The guide, which exceeds 100 pages, advises filmmakers to portray the family as a 'bastion of stability' amid 'external turbulence.' It also recommends against depicting the family solely as a 'restriction of freedom, an obstacle to personal development, or an outdated form of social organization,' and against caricaturing characters. For example, fathers should not be shown as 'emotionally absent' or 'secondary' figures, and the older generation should not be portrayed as 'a source of archaism.'
The document separately states that 'crisis, breakup, betrayal, irresponsibility, or abandonment of loved ones' should not be perceived by viewers as 'the main emotionally attractive or aesthetically winning content of a work.' The authors also recommend excluding 'screaming scenes' and conveying to audiences that 'family and children are not the end of freedom, but a new level of life.'
RBC's sources claim that the State Duma's committee on information policy developed the recommendations. Committee head Sergei Boyarsky denies this. According to him, the document is 'the work of the industry itself, which is trying to self-regulate,' and it is not mandatory. Vladimir Trunov, director for government relations at Tricolor, confirmed that the document is being discussed with media market participants, but the current version has not yet been adopted as final.
Starting March 1, 2026, Russia will ban the screening of films that 'discredit traditional spiritual and moral values.' The ban applies to both theatrical releases and online cinemas. Platforms have already begun self-censorship: films now feature title cards warning of cut scenes.