National Media Group (NMG) has signed a first-look deal with producer, screenwriter, and director Ilya Kulikov. NMG Studio was the official party to the deal, under whose terms NMG is entitled to make a first offer on the production of Kulikov’s projects.
New projects by Kulikov will be aired both on the more.tv online service as part of the more originals series, and on the NMG on-air TV channels. At the time of the agreement, producers from the holding had already started working on new projects with Kulikov.
Ilya Kulikov is one of the most successful screenwriters and producers in Russia. His projects include top-rated series (Glukhar, Policeman from Rublyovka, Chernobyl: Zone of Exclusion, Mylodrama, Pereval Dyatlova) and box-office hits (Policeman from Rublyovka: New Year’s Lawlessness). NMG and Kulikov have already worked together on projects such as the sports drama Rugby, which premiered on more.tv on May 19, 2021.
Vyacheslav Murugov, Deputy CEO of NMG for entertainment broadcasting: “Ilya Kulikov is a name associated with memorable, successful, and unique projects. He has created several cult hits and his characters have become household names, with catchphrases that have entered common parlance. We have no doubt that this agreement with Ilya will allow us to create new, enduring stories that will appeal to our audience.”
Ilya Kulikov, screenwriter, director, and producer: “I am sure that this new agreement will help NMG to further expand its audience for new series and films. We are embarking on this strategic partnership having already completed several large projects together in which we have proven our mutual trust not only in words, but in deed. Our partnership is also based on respect and freedom of creativity, and the prospects for the future are bright.”