OREANDA-NEWS. March 13, 2012. A documentary produced in association with Volga-Dnepr Group that charts the history of the unique Antonov AN-124-100 ‘Ruslan’ freighter aircraft is a finalist in this year’s New York Festivals (NYF) International Television & Film Awards.

The ‘Ruslan: Bridging the World’ documentary, scripted by Russian television reporter Alexey Samoletov, was submitted to NYF in the ‘Documentary’ category and was judged by an international panel of 147 experts.

Of the thousands of films submitted for judging from all over the world, only 12 works from nine countries eventually got to the final in this category. Another five projects from Russia were shortlisted in other categories.

The NYF award winners will be announced during a gala ceremony on 17 April 2012 at what is recognised as one of the most prestigious international festivals of professional filmmaking. It has been taking place since 1957.

‘Ruslan: Bridging the World’ was released in 2010 and was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Volga-Dnepr Group, the world's largest operator of Antonov 124-100 Ruslan aircraft. The documentary is devoted to the history of the Ruslan's design and development and to the people who helped earn a global recognition for this masterpiece of Soviet engineering and as a unique leader in cargo aviation.

The film features both well and little known facts about the Antonov 124-100 as well as expert opinions, rare archive footage and scenes from the present day operating life of this great plane.