Biography

Andrey Ogorodnikov started his carrier as a filmmaker with a directorial debut of the short music film «Closer» (2017), where he also acted as a screenwriter, editor and sound designer. This film allowed Andrey to make his name known within professional movie-making industry at numerous International and National Russian film festivals (including countries: USA, Norway, Serbia, India, Russia), which was reflected in multiple awards and prizes.

In the fall of 2018 and 2019, Andrey Ogorodnikov was invited as a jury member at the Ringerike International Youth Film Festival (Norway) where he is filming his first international project «Unseen» (2019).

In September 2019, with the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Press and Nationalities of the Republic of Mari El, Andrey Ogorodnikov was invited as a film director to work on series of films dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic: «Heritage. Mari El» (2020), «Today. Mari El» (2020), where Andrey presented himself at the intersection of documentary and feature genres for the first time. Simultaneously, Andrey Ogorodnikov is filming the first ever movie made about the Traditional Mari Faith «Onaen» (2020).

Later, on December 8th of 2020, Andrey Ogorodnikov achieved a Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Culture, Press and National Affairs of the Republic of Mari El for a creative approach and high-quality work in the preparation of both films dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Mari El.

In 2022 Andrey Ogorodnikov studied «Filmmaking» in the New York Film Academy (New York, USA) [Exhibit 10, page]. During his appearance in the United States of America he successfully shot «weightless» (2024) which earned worldwide recognition in «best film director», «best cinematography», «best film» awards on numerous International Film Festivals.

Furthermore, in 2022, Andrey Ogorodnikov became a winner among 334 participants of the competition «Russia - a Look into the Future» organized by The Fund for Regional Cinematography Support (FPRK) of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation [see section, page] and successfully implemented the project «EVSEYEV: Recognition at the cost of life» (2022), dedicated to the famous local historian, whose collected ethnographic collections constitute the «golden fund» for the entire Finno-Ugric world.

In December 2024, by decree of the Head of the region, Andrey Ogorodnikov was awarded the honorary title of Laureate of the State Youth Prize of the Republic of Mari El named after Olyk Ipay for 2023-2024 for the film about Timofey Evseyev. Also, on International Cinema Day - December 28, 2024, Andrey Ogordnikov was awarded with the Certificate of Honor of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tyva for participating as the second cameraman in the creation of the full-length film «The Tale of a Bright Boy» (2024). In March 2025, Andrey Ogorodnikov was accepted as a member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation.

In September 2025, Andrey Ogorodnikov premiers the first ever made in the history of the Republic of Mari El a full-length musical film «The Last Petal» (2025). Directed by Andrey Ogorodnikov, the musical film brought together over 700 participants. The uniqueness of the project is its unification of promising creative children from the region of Mari El - choreographers, vocalists, actors, and musicians. On the date of a musical premiere - September 13, 2025, Andrey Ogorodnikov was awarded with the Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Culture, Press and National Affairs of the Republic of Mari El for participation in the implementation of the musical film «The Last Petal».

For contribution to the development of culture, motion picture arts and the preservation of the cultural heritage of the Republic of Mari El, Andrey Ogorodnikov was honored with a reception of the Gratitude of the Head of the Republic of Mari El on November of 2025.

To this day, Andrey Ogorodnikov gained a respectful reputation in the professional area as a recognized filmmaker with extraordinary ability in Motion Picture Arts what revealed in numerous feature, short and documentaries films and continue his work in this area of expertise.
- IMDb mini biography by: Andrew Ogorodnikov