On December 9, the first Arctic Open International Film Festival named its winners. The contest program included 52 action, short and documentary movies and four non-competitive films. The screenings took place at 16 festival venues in Arkhangelsk, Severodvinsk and Novodvinsk, according to the festival's press release.

"Three Days Till the Spring" by Alexander Kasatkin (Lenfilm) became the best action movie. "Once Upon" by Eduard Parri took the prize for the best director's work. Roman Zhigalov received the prize for the best screenplay for his drama about love "The Forest." Mikhail Kardashevsky won for the best camera work with "Saasky kem."

"Arctic: The Underwater Aliens" by Anton Sobolevsky was named the best documentary film. Maria Murashova won the prize for the best director with her movie "Gatherers of Sea Grass." The award for the best screenplay went to Valdis Pelsh's team.

"Anna & Vano: Bathroom & Wine" became the best short film (screenplay by Alex Nekto). Sean Meehan won the best director award with "Lost Face." "River is Nothing," which was shot in Arkhangelsk, took the prize for the best screenplay.

Starting in 2018, the festival will take place regularly. Arctic Open, the first international film festival of the Arctic countries, won the contest for Russian presidential grants and was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Arkhangelsk Region.