Published on: 2026-10-10
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The ceremonial opening and award ceremony of the 20th International Wildlife Festival “Golden Turtle” will take place at the Central Exhibition Hall “Manege” on October 27. For its 20th anniversary, the project has prepared an exhibition of the best works by animal photographers from around the world. For the first time, the exhibition will be complemented by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
At the awards ceremony, winners will be determined in 23 categories and the names of the holders of the main titles — “Photographer of the Year” and “Photographer of the 20th Anniversary” — will be announced.
The exhibition will open to visitors on October 28. More than 400 works by finalists will be displayed on an area of over three thousand square meters.
According to the organizers, the anniversary festival will be the most technologically advanced in the entire history of the project. The themed halls will be complemented by modern multimedia solutions and immersive sound effects that will help visitors immerse themselves more deeply in the world of wildlife. The main technological innovation will be the use of AI. With its help, it is planned to bring to life the most iconic photographs created over the 20 years of the festival’s existence.
Special attention will be given to the special nomination “Wildlife of Moscow.” Participants of the competition photograph rare birds, animals, reptiles, and plants in their natural habitat within the territory of the capital. In 2024, 895 photos were submitted for this nomination by 146 contestants, and in 2025 the number of works increased to 1108, with the number of authors rising to 191.
“It is fundamentally important for us to show people the full beauty and uniqueness of Moscow’s nature. Thanks to the country’s best photographers, festival guests have the chance to glimpse rare moments of animal life hidden from the human eye, and to remember how fantastic this world is,” she noted
Yulia Urozhayeva, the head of the Moscow Department of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection.
In addition, guests can look forward to documentary film screenings, lectures, master classes, and meetings with famous travelers. This year will also feature a series of events dedicated to Moscow Nature Day, as well as presentations of Russian nature reserves and national parks.
Andrey Sukhin, President of the “Golden Turtle” platform, noted that the experience of past years serves as a foundation for future discoveries.
“The festival has gained a reputation as a project that does not stand still and surprises every year. And the anniversary season will be no exception — we have prepared new formats, new discoveries, and new emotions. For us, this is an opportunity to show that 20 years is not about the past, but about the future. Come share this celebration with us, it is for you,” emphasized Andrey Sukhinin.
“Golden Turtle” is one of the most prestigious international wildlife photo contests. It has been held in Moscow since 2006. Over two decades, more than 217 thousand works from 45 thousand authors from 161 countries worldwide have been submitted to the contest.
The social component holds an important place in the project. Since 2019, the festival has successfully implemented the “White Book” program for blind and visually impaired visitors. Thanks to tactile printing of photographs (typhlography), the work of typhlospecialists, and special workshops, people with visual impairments can experience the world of wildlife through touch.
Stay informed about the main news promptly on the official Moscow city channels in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.