JSFC "Sistema" and the RWS company have created the largest film studio complex in Russia

 JSFC "Sistema" and Russian World Studios (RWS) have closed the deal, as a result of which, the largest film company in Russia was created, with production stages in Moscow, St.Petersburg, and the Black Sea coast of Russia - Anapa.

Russian World Studio in St.Petersburg

The segment of JSFC "Sistema" in the new company amounts to 51%, and 49% belongs to RWS management. The terms of partnership imply that the main financial source will be borrowed funds. The Board of directors includes representatives of JSFC "Sistema" and RWS.

As the First Vice President of JSFC "Sistema" announced: For the Corporation, the film company created on the basis of RWS, is a prospective business direction with a high potential for growth. We are counting on RWS to strengthen the positions of JSFC "Sistema" group, not only in the sector of video production where we are going to become a leader in the next three years, but also on the paid television and internet-broadcasting market as a whole.

The new company holds 13 stages with the overall area of 18 thousand sq. meters, 0.7 acres of back lots in Moscow, and 73 acres of back lots on the Black Sea coast of Russia, ready for production. RWS holds a large base of all types of film production equipment from the best producers all over the world, and offers a whole range of additional services for full provision of the filming process.

Andrey Smirnov

As the CEO of Russian World Studios Andrey Smirnov said: "Forming the strategic alliance with JSFC "Sistema", RWS is ready to create a fully integrated company present in all segments of the industry: from production, marketing and distribution of creative content, and delivery to the consumer. The launching of two new RWS film studios in St. Petersburg, Anapa and the increase of production power of the studio in Moscow, allows the company to increase production of its own content for traditional, as well as developing digital, mobile platforms, and widening the abilities of the provision services of the other production companies."

JSFC "Sistema" is the largest private sector consumer services company in Russia and the CIS. The corporation develops and manages a portfolio of market-leading businesses in selected service-based industries, including telecommunications, technology, banking, real estate, retail and mass media.

Russian World Studios was founded in 1998. Being one of the few Russian studios capable of providing a full range of film production-related services, RWS has proved to be among the most rapidly growing companies in the industry. Over the last five years, RWS has steadily increased the number of in-house projects produced, focusing on TV series production for major Russian broadcasting networks. At the same time, the studio has serviced and co-produced a fair number of TV and feature film projects with the company's international partners, including SONY Pictures Television International, Hallmark Entertainment, HBO Films, Beacon Pictures, etc.

In 2007, the company produced 300 hours of domestic content. RWS continues to expand its library with new high-quality product of various genres, while actively collaborating with the largest studios and distribution and production companies from all over the world.

During the negotiations, RWS and JSFC "Sistema", TV series "Atlantis" starring Nelly Uvarova, premiered on CTC Channel (Russia) and 1+1 Channel (Ukraine).

"Atlantis" is a story about two families that dream about happiness and wellbeing. Vera Stepnova (Nelly Uvarova), is working as geography teacher. Her life is calm and predictable. She loves her husband and 12-year-old daughter. But destiny has its own ideas. A lucky chance - Vera was invited as a tutor to the house of the banker and Natalia (Natalia Gudkova), his wife - turned out to be a tragedy. The destinies of Vera and Natalia, the two main characters, dramatically meet. Tragic circumstances make one woman a widow and the second one a murderer. Who is right? Who is guilty? What to do? How to live when death and betrayal eliminate not only the present, but the future? Average ratings in December 2007: rating 7,6%; share 19,4%.