John Beyrle, the US ambassador to Russia during Barack Obama’s first term, which was marked by a “reset” in relations between Moscow and Washington, insisted that as economic ties between the two countries flounder under the weight of sanctions and geopolitics, symbolic cultural ties will become more important again.

“From my experience working in Russia, there is still too much misunderstanding between Russians and Americans, not just at the government level, but at the personal level,” the diplomat, and member of the ARCCF board, told RT.

“Cinema and photography have tremendous influence and tremendous power to influence people and to reduce stereotypes, dispel misunderstanding and even ignorance.”