It started off as a joke, with organiser Nadya Bakuradze discovering the town Kansk in Siberia and thinking he would have some fun with the fact that Kansk and Cannes are pronounced the same in Russian. The joke has gone one step further to become a credible film festival held in a town that doesn't have glitzy yachts or palm trees. Now in its eighth year, it is an event that has "shaped the culture of a region." Still, seeing as we can't all take the Trans-Siberian railway to Kansk, Nadya has decided to bring the festival to London.  

The four day festival will kick off this Thursday with an exhibition of Russian poster art at the The Foundry. Shorts and video art from Kansk will be screened throughout the festival and highlights include 'Volga-Volga', a remake of 1930s' Soviet comedy. 'Einstein and Margaret', a biopic about Einstein's love affair with a Soviet secret service agent also makes its debut.

Siberian Kansk Video Festival takes place at The Foundry (Exhibition) and the Genesis Cinema June 11-14.
For tickets and detailed film programme call 08700 60 60 61 or go to Genesis Cienma website.