The rules for issuing film distribution certificates were
changed on 21 December 2016. Now films that have not received a
Russian distribution certificate cannot be shown not only in a
movie theater in Russia, but also on the Internet.
In accordance with the Federal Law on State Support for
Cinematography of the Russian Federation1(the
"Law"), it is necessary to obtain a distribution
certificate in order to show a film in Russia. Films can be shown
without a distribution certificate only at international film
festivals. There is a separate exemption for television showing of
films specially created for television.
The Rules for Issuing, Refusing to Issue and Revoking a Film
Distribution Certificate were approved in early 20162
(the "Rules"). According to the Rules, a distribution
certificate was issued for showing a film in a movie theater and
distribution of a film on a tangible medium. At the end of 2016
3 a third way of using a film was added to those two
ways:
