Cinema and Theatre redefining BRICS’ New Cultural Connect

Theatre and Cinema are becoming a robust medium of soft power for the BRICS nations, with wider cooperation among its members, which will foster people-to-people contact to strengthen relations between the member countries. From co-producing movies to organising annual theatre festivals, the member nations are redefining the contours of diplomacy.

The activities promoting multiculturalism: As part of this, to promote the cultural aspect of the BRICS nations, New Delhi is hosting the BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 from 12 to 14 October 2026 in New Delhi under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026. Over 100 artists from member and partner countries are participating in it. The festival will feature participation from India, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, Vietnam, Iran, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Ethiopia.

The leaders from BRICS nations, since its inception, have emphasised cultural initiatives to promote people-to-people contact. In fact, as early as 2017, the BRICS nations have been trying to use the medium of cinema and theatre for the promotion of culture.

A movie titled ‘Where Has the Time Gone’ hit the screens in China in 2017, and was co-directed by directors from five BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The idea was mooted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016 at the 8th BRICS Summit held in Goa, which later found support with the BRICS leaders.

Using the medium of art and culture for fostering relations: Russia, one of the key members of BRICS, has been organizing many such events to promote art and culture. Last year, it organised the BRICS Association of Film Universities in Moscow, Russia. The aim of the programme was to promote the development of modern film culture. Representatives from the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK), the Central Academy of Drama, the Communication University of China, Open Window Institute, the University of Tehran, the University of São Paulo, and the Film and Television Institute of India participated in the event.

Also, Russia has concluded a fellowship programme for actors from BRICS+ countries. The InteRussia international fellowship programme, “Professional Training for Drama and Film Actors,” gave training to 14 young participants from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, India, Egypt, Türkiye, South Africa, Malaysia, China, and Ethiopia, which concluded on October 3, 2026.

Along with Russia, China is also playing a key role in promoting culture through the expression of art. It successfully hosted a 32-day children’s theater festival in the past. It is partnering through the BRICS Alliance of Theatre for Children and Young People to open a new chapter of people-to-people exchanges among BRICS countries. In fact, this platform has become a powerful way to collaborate and promote art and culture. The initiative was proposed in 2018 during the world congress of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ) in Cape Town, South Africa.

Bilateral events to promote relations with each other: The member nations conduct bilateral cultural events within the BRICS framework. A concert marking the opening of the Year of Culture of China and Brazil was held in Brasilia in April this year.

The China National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) and the Claudio Santoro National Theatre Symphony Orchestra of Brazil performed on stage. The event saw the attendance of over 600 guests, including representatives of the Brazilian and Chinese authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, and citizens of both countries. The programme combined works by Brazilian and Chinese composers, such as “Aquarela do Brasil” by Ary Barroso and the violin concerto “Butterfly Lovers” by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang. It highlighted the idea of promoting dialogue through musical tradition.

Also, a creative meeting with actors from member countries is held in different nations to strengthen relations. Recently, Russia hosted actors from India, South Africa, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and other countries.

In this, BRICS+ Films is playing a key role as a platform to tell shared stories, highlight cultural diversity, and showcase the collective cinematic talent of BRICS nations to audiences worldwide. It is promoting joint productions, talent exchange, co-created content, and collaborative storytelling that reflects the social, cultural, and artistic richness of BRICS nations. In this, TV BRICS, a Russian-registered media outlet, is also playing a key role, established in 2017 at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin.