On June 6, the awarding ceremony of the International Environmental Television Festival "Save and Preserve" was held in Khanty-Mansiysk. The jury selected the winning works from a pool of over 300 submissions across various categories. The film "The Master of the Altai Mountains," which chronicles the life of the snow leopard and the efforts to preserve it, emerged as the top contender in the "Best Documentary Film" category. The jury’s unanimous selection of this film, inspired by the founder of the Interregional Association "Irbis," Ali Uzdenov, underscores its cinematic and environmental significance. The "Save and Preserve" TV festival, in its 19th iteration since 1996, has garnered participants from multiple nations, fostering international collaboration and the exchange of ideas. This year, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, China, Cuba, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Serbia, Tanzania, Tanzania, Uruguay, and Venezuela submitted film works for consideration. Russia is represented by more than fifty regions, underscoring the country’s commitment to the event. The jury members noted that all the works were of a very high caliber, making it challenging to select the winners. Notwithstanding the high caliber of the submissions, the film "The Master of the Altai Mountains" was distinguished as the supreme awardee in the "Best Documentary Film" category. The film was directed by Vadim Vitovtsev and Ilya Tsyganov, and was filmed in the Sailugemsky National Park in the Altai Republic. The production of the film was initiated and supported by the Interregional Association "Center for the Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard 'Irbis'." The team has been working on the painting for three years and has been on several large-scale expeditions to the snow leopard trails.

The "Master of the Altai Mountains" was a collaborative effort involving a large team of more than 25 individuals, including members of the film crew, employees of the Interregional Association "Center for the Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard 'Irbis,'" and employees of the National Park "Sailugemsky," where the filming took place. The cameramen were successful in capturing unique footage of the irbis, a species regarded as the most elusive and mysterious cat in the world, and the breathtaking natural beauty of the Altai Republic. The voiceover for the film was provided by Nikolai Drozdov, a zoologist and television presenter, and Konstantin Khabensky, an actor. This film marks a historic milestone in the realm of irbis documentation, offering viewers an unparalleled glimpse into the life of this enigmatic species.

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I am extremely gratified that the collective efforts of our entire team, along with the personal contributions of Ali Musaevich Uzdenov, have been recognized by a highly accomplished jury within a highly competitive environment. This accolade is the culmination of three years of arduous labor, conducted at considerable heights, and in the most challenging conditions imaginable. We have succeeded in producing a film about the most enigmatic feline in the world. This endeavor has instilled in us an unparalleled resilience, propelling us to triumph. We extend our profound gratitude to the jury for their discerning evaluation and extend an invitation to viewers to experience the film, "The Master of the Altai Mountains," which will be widely released throughout Russia on June 13th.

Daria Petrova, Screenwriter of "Master of the Altai Mountains"