before the deadline
about
The ON Media Creative Laboratory is a competition organised by ON Media for theatre and film directors, held jointly with Nikita Mikhalkov’s “12” Studio and supported by the Assembly of Russian citizens.
In 2026 the competition is being held for the third time and is going international: it is open not only to participants from Russia, but also from the BRICS and other friendly countries.
This year competition takes place at Nikita Mikhalkov’s Studio, where the qualifying screenings of the semi-finalists will be held, along with the premiere of the winner’s play. Studio’s actors will support contestants bring their visions to life.
Participation terms
The competition is open to directors holding higher professional education and to graduation students of directing faculties at creative universities who are citizens of the Russian Federation, citizens of BRICS and other friendly countries.
The winner stages their winning play as director on a theatre stage; the play enters the theatre’s repertoire for at least 1 year
RUB 500,000 + an internship as director assistant on a KION project. The winner’s documentary about the Laboratory will be broadcasted on the KION platform
How it was
Venue
Mossovet Theatre — for kids
Winner
Fyodor Parasyuk — "The Adventures of Neznaiki and His Friends"
Jury members
Evgeny Marcelli, Olga Ostroumova, Evgeny Steblov, Olga Kabo, Anna Mikhailova, Nadezhda Lysenko (MTS), Gela Romanovsky (MTS Live)
Moscow Institute of Theatre Arts Named After I.D. Kobzon and ON Lab Open a Path to the Industry for Students
ON Lab Creative Laboratory and the Moscow Institute of Theatre Arts named after People’s Artist of the USSR I.D. Kobzon (MosITI) have signed a partnership agreement. The Institute has joined ON Lab’s network of partner universities. For the third year in a row, the project has been helping young directors take their first steps in the profession
MGIK and ON Lab Creative Laboratory Agree to Collaborate on Creative Projects
ON Lab Creative Laboratory and the Moscow State Institute of Culture (MGIK) have signed a partnership agreement. The agreement is expected to expand the laboratory’s opportunities to engage with the student community and young talent. For the institute, the partnership will open up new opportunities for senior students to gain experience through real-world projects in the creative industries
MTS Live and the Mossovet Theatre Launch a Project for Students and Graduates of Theatre Schools
The finalists of the Mossovet Theatre for Children directing laboratory, organized jointly with MTS Live, were announced at the theatre company’s annual gathering.
Why Not Take on Zavadsky Himself?
On this truly legendary stage, senior students, theatre school graduates, and emerging directors are offered a unique opportunity to stage their own production for children aged 6 to 12
The Mossovet Theatre Launches a Children’s Theatre Laboratory for Emerging Directors
During the preliminary selection stage, at least four of the strongest submissions from young directors will be chosen. Their authors will have the opportunity to develop staged excerpts based on their proposed material together with actors from the Mossovet Theatre
The Mossovet Theatre and MTS Live Launch a Directing Laboratory for Emerging Talent
On July 18, 2025, a press conference dedicated to the launch of the MTS Live creative laboratory Mossovet Theatre for Children was held at the Rossiya Segodnya press center
Press Conference on the MTS Live and Mossovet Theatre Creative Laboratory
The laboratory for emerging directors is a transparent, competition-based platform featuring a professional jury and offering participants the opportunity to gain their first directing experience on a major theatre stage
The Mossovet Theatre and MTS Live Launch a Creative Laboratory
A press conference dedicated to the launch of the MTS Live and Mossovet Theatre Creative Laboratory will take place at the Rossiya Segodnya press center on July 18, 2025
MTS Live and the Mossovet Theatre Launch a Children’s Theatre Directing Laboratory
Supporting emerging theatre talent and discovering new names are key priorities for MTS Live and the entire MTS Media holding company
Yulia Vysotskaya, Andrei Konchalovsky, Olga Kabo, and Ekaterina Guseva: The Mossovet Theatre Opens Its 103rd Season
The finalists of the Mossovet Theatre for Children directing laboratory, organized jointly with MTS Live, were announced at the theatre company’s annual gathering
apply now
Select a direction and fill out the form. The organizing committee will contact you within 3 business days.