Sergey Soloviev — is a Russian journalist, member of the Russian Television Academy, a former member of the Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation (2009-2011), teacher National Research University – Higher School of Economics.Sergei Solovyov first experienced theatrical production as a child at the Theater of Youth Creativity (1957–1962) directed by Matvey Dubrovin. Solovyov studied at all-Soviet state Institute of Cinematography, worked in Leningrad TV and Mosfilm studio (1969–1987, film director, writer, producer). In 1975, he won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 25th Berlin International Film Festival for his film Sto dney posle detstva.Solovyov contributed to the Russian rock movement of the perestroika era, with such films as "Assa" (1987, starring rock musicians Afrika (Sergei Bugaev), Viktor Tsoi, Sergey Ryzhenko) and "Chyornaya roza - emblema pechali, krasnaya roza - emblema lyubvi" (1989). Both Soviet films prominently feature Russian rock music in soundtracks, especially by Boris Grebenshchikov and his band Akvarium.He directed "Dyadya Vanya" (Uncle Vanya, Maly theatre) and "Chayka" (Taganka Theatre, 1994). Solovyov was a professor of Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography and the chairman of Cinematographer's Union of Russia from 1994 to 1997. In 2000 he was a member of the jury at the 22nd Moscow International Film Festival.

Joseph Backstein — is an art historian, critic, curator, and the head of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Moscow. He has curated many contemporary art exhibitions in Russia and abroad, including the first show of the Club of Avant-Garde artists (Moscow, 1987), IsKunstvo (Berlin, 1988, co-curator), and an exhibition at Butyrskaya Prison (Moscow, 1992). He co-curated Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2005 and 2007 and was its commissioner in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Natalia Sindeeva — founder and general director of the Moscow-based independent TV channel TV Rain, which occupies a unique position in the Russian media. It doesn’t hesitate to cover the most sensitive political news: in 2012 it broadcast live the mass protest meetings organised by the democratic opposition. TV Rain is not afraid to invite to its studio critics of the Kremlin who are given an opportunity to meet government officials representing the official point of view. Natalia has twice won the ‘Russia’s media manager’ award for her work on radio (2004) and in television (2011).