Silhouette of a man with a beard and glasses, facing to the left, in a dark setting with only profile outline illuminated.

Explore the Rich Tapestry of Belarusian Cinematic History

Black and white photograph of a woman with fair skin, wearing a headscarf, standing in front of a brick wall.
Movie "Forest Story". Black-and-white photo of several military officers and a woman gathered around a dining table with drinks, food, and glassware, engaging in conversation and smiling.
Minsk, beginning of the 20th century.

History of Cinema
in Belarus

A black and white historical photograph of a large group of uniformed soldiers posing on stairs in front of a building. The soldiers wear helmets and military uniforms, with some holding weapons or flags. There are ladders and part of a carriage or vehicle at the bottom of the image.

January 25, 1898 — the first film screening on the territory of Belarus. It was organized by Mr. Katin, the owner of a film camera from the Lumiere brothers company.

Black and white photo of a historic street with buildings featuring various signs and advertisements, featuring a horse-drawn carriage in the foreground.

December 8, 1908 — premiere of the first documentary film shot on the territory of Belarus.

Black and white photo of a vintage steam train arriving at a station platform with people dressed in early 20th-century clothing waiting to board.

In 1907, the first cinema opened in Minsk. Its owner turned out to be an enterprising Russified German, Richard Eduardovich Stremer.

We are supporters of Belarusian culture as it expresses itself in film

Belarusian culture has Belarus as a source, not a limitation.  It comes from the land but is not bound by it. Belarusians carry their country in their hearts, wherever they go.  

Vintage Soviet-style movie poster with large face of a man with glasses and beard, police officer with a gun, the Statue of Liberty with a skeleton face, and a man clutching his chest, with Cyrillic text.