Overview

• Allen appeared by video on Aug. 24 at Moscow International Film Week in a session moderated by Putin ally Fyodor Bondarchuk, with Russian state TV showing a packed theater.
• Ukraine’s foreign ministry called his participation “a disgrace and an insult,” saying the event gathers supporters of Vladimir Putin and uses culture as a propaganda tool.
• In statements to major outlets, Allen condemned Putin and the invasion but argued that cutting off artistic conversations is not helpful.
• The festival is backed by Russian state media and the Moscow city government and is separate from the older Moscow International Film Festival that lost international accreditation in 2022.
• Russian coverage highlighted Allen’s praise for Russian cinema and reported he discussed the idea of filming in Russia, with no confirmed offers or plans.