The Moscow International Film Festival has turned 25. But it is up to historians to make records of its progress and growing significance. At this point, one problem definitely remains unresolved – that of data flow. Call the press service of, say, the Berlin or Cannes film festivals anytime day or night and you will immediately get exhaustive info on schedules, guests, scores, etc. But MIFF is still full of mysteries.

Day 1, June 20
The Bosco di Ciliegi party thrown in Gorky Park late in the afternoon to celebrate the festival’s opening was a success, as always, despite the heavy rain. The most desired woman in France, Sophie Marceau, looked happy and showed willingness to stay to the end, but her husband – producer Jim Lemley – said enough, and took her home.

Day 2, June 21
Local and visiting stars gathered in the Yar restaurant to celebrate MIFF’s 25th anniversary Russian style. Italian movie legend Gina Lolobrigida danced with the gypsies and posed before cameras while embracing Cossacks. Other guests were having fun, too. NHL star Ilya Kovalchyuk and Sergei Arkhipov took the stage where they competed with each other in a vodka drinking contest. In a word, the party was a success and continued deep into the night.
On the same night, a special show of Peter Greenway’s film "The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1" in the Pushkinsky movie theater drew in 2,000 people, which was quite unusual for a nighttime show. The director presented the film in person, and was in a good mood. "I guess one or two people in this room have seen one or two of my movies, and I’m very grateful to you for that," he said.

Day 3, June 23
The Pushkinsky movie theater hosted a gala-premiere of Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s flick, "Intacto," presented by Swedish actor Max von Sydow who played one of the main roles in it. "This film is about people who believe in absolute luck, and it possesses its own mythology," he said. Sydow added that it was his good luck that he featured in the film and that he arrived in Moscow as a MIFF guest.

Day 4, June 24
A poll conducted at the Pushkinsky movie theater revealed that the audience’s favorite film was "La Luz Prodigiosa" (Marvelous Light) – the work of Spanish director Miguel Hermoso.
Actor Dougray Scott and director Mike Barker arrived from London to present the film "To Kill a King."

Day 5, June 25
Finnish director and producer Mika Kaurismaki has many friends in Moscow who he was visiting during breaks between shows. He was also spotted hanging out with them at night. He felt so comfortable in Moscow that he walked around without an interpreter.

Day 6, June 26
This day was the apex of the amount of films shown in the theaters. Exciting!

Day 7, June 27
Three French stars are arriving at 3:10 p.m. – Fanny Ardant, Ludivine Sagnier and Francois Ozon. The unmatched Ardant will present "Callas Forever," while director Francois Ozon and one of his favorite actresses – Ludivine Sagnier – will present "Swimming Pool."