Irina Engelis

Irina Engelis was born on March 12, 1980 in the Far North in the village of Chersky, Nizhnekolymsky District, Yakut ASSR. She graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts with a degree in Cultural Studies. After graduation she returned to Yakutia and in 2007 started as a promoter in Sakha Cinema. In 2013, Irina founded the Yakutsk International Film Festival, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of Yakut cinema. She is also the author of the emblem and the main silver prize of the Yakutsk IFF, Snow Goggles. Additionally, she led six editions of the film festival, playing a key role in its development and in strengthening its status as a significant cultural event.