The Interregional Association "Irbis," under the leadership of Ali Uzdenov, presented a unique gift to the residents of Altai: the creation of a full-length movie about the snow leopard. This project, spanning three years, was meticulously crafted in the harsh conditions of high mountainous terrain and a frigid climate, often subject to strong winds. Vadim Vitovtsev, a native of the Altai Republic, assumed the role of director, while Nikolai Drozdov and Konstantin Khabensky provided the voice-over narration. The film’s protagonists were the employees of the Sailugemsky National Park and the irbis of Altai, with footage from video cameras and unique full-time filming of animals in their natural habitat.

The film’s premiere, which took place on October 26 in the concert hall "October" in Moscow, convened partners and supporters of the Association "Irbis." Attendees hailed not only from the Altai Mountains but also included a significant delegation of teachers and children from Karachay-Cherkessia, beneficiaries of the Konstantin Khabensky Foundation, the "I am" Foundation, Moscow schoolchildren and educators, environmental organizations, and agencies.

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Despite the fact that we seem to be constantly talking about how rare and vulnerable the snow leopard is, there are actually so many people who don’t know about it. That’s why we and create such films. And most importantly— our most grateful viewers are children. We work and try to do a lot of things for them. They have to take over the baton of nature conservation from us, and it will probably be even more difficult for them, so it’s worth telling them in advance all the difficulties and difficulties of this work.

Denis Malikov, director of Sailyugemsky National Park and the hero of the film "The Master of the Altai Mountains".

Vladislav Pelsh became the host of the evening at the premiere of the film.

At one time, he was the author of a film about the Altai Mountains, Journey to the Center of the Earth.

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Мне фильм очень понравился. Зрители увидели сложную трудную работу национального парка в отдалённых уголках гор. Реальность такова, что работа зоологов и инспекторов еще сложнее. Мы рискуем жизнью ради охраны удивительных уголков природы и редких животных. Работаем и в снег, и в жуткий мороз, и в буран, опасаемся лавин, камнепадов. Увидеть в фильме редчайшие кадры жизни скрытных ирбисов — это дорогого стоит. Мы, работая в полях, часто буквально «наступаем ирбису на хвост», но зверя не видим: приходим на место, а он ушёл оттуда два часа, три часа назад, пять минут, это видно по кадрам камер. Зато ирбис видит нас чаще, и это воодушевляет. Зритель узнает и о других животных — жителях земли снежного барса. Тут и полюбившийся всем дикий кот манул, и алтайский горный баран. Я уверен, что фильм и дальше будет получать от зрителей только положительные отзывы и оставлять позитивное впечатление.

Denis Gulyaev, deputy director of Sailyugemsky National Park, who also became a participant in the film and a guest at the premiere of the film in Moscow.

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Thanks to the director for making the film and opening it to me. I was surprised to learn that snow leopards have names. Thank you so much for the good quality of the film and for helping us come to the premiere.

Tengiz Yerlenbayev, a resident of the village of Kosh-Agach, a member of the children's eco-club of friends of Sailyugemsky National Park "Ecologist-researcher of his native land", a guest of the premiere.

Next, the Interregional Association "Irbis" plans the film’s participation in festivals and only after that — its appearance in the wide box office, when everyone can see the film.

In Russia, there are about 70−90 snow leopards in the borders of the Altai-Sayan mountain country, in Southern Siberia. In the Altai Republic, there are more than 50% of snow leopards in Russia, or at least 43−45 individuals. Of these, 24 snow leopards live within the boundaries of the Sailugem National Park, which was established in 2010 to protect the snow leopard and the Altai mountain goat.