ROMB is an award-winning independent Russian media outlet producing and publishing short and feature length documentaries about life inside modern Russia. Founded in 2017, we work with a trusted network of freelance journalists on the ground in Russia to bring the stories of ordinary Russians to audiences across the country and beyond. As Russia cuts itself off from the outside world, our unparalleled access to the Russian regions means that we are uniquely placed to shed light on everyday life, covering topics that are suppressed by state propaganda such as human rights abuses, LGBTQI+, gender and youth issues, civic activism and the militarization of society.
We work with international and Russian production and distribution partners to reach diverse audiences. Our co-production with Evan Williams Productions for Channel 4, Hunting Russia’s Lost Boys, was broadcast in the UK in November 2023 as part of the renowned Dispatches series and is now available on international streaming platforms. We have also sold licences to SBS Australia for content from our extensive library of footage.
Our Work
Grave Hunter
In Krasnodar, a military pensioner discovered 1,400 graves of soldiers killed in Ukraine. According to media estimates, he found 45% more burials than accounted for in official publications.
Female circumcision in the Caucasus
An investigation into FGM in Dagestan through conversations with survivors to find out where female circumcision came from in the Caucasus, what it has to do with Islam and why numerous victims keep quiet.
The lives of HIV-positive teenagers in Russia
Children with HIV in Russia are stigmatised, denied medical care and neglected by the state. This film shows how they fight for their lives and their rights, and how they find support and hope.
Detained for an Instagram Story
19-year-old Olesya was reported to the police by her classmates for social media posts she shared about the bombing of the Crimean bridge. She is now under house arrest awaiting trial and a possible sentence of 10.5 years in prison.
The mistreatment of women in mental health institutions
Women in institutions that are supposed to support them through mental illness are routinely pressured into abortions, kept from their families and forced to live in prison-like conditions.
Life as a trans woman in Russia
Eva and Vika lead very different lives, but what unites them is a constant fear, distrust of those around them and pressure from the state.
Our Offer
Co-productions
Our established network of experienced journalists provide unparalleled access to Russian communities, from the Caucasus to Siberia. Our editorial team’s deep understanding of current issues in Russian society ensures that our projects are topical and well-researched. Combined with our expertise in crafting compelling stories while mitigating the digital, legal and physical security risks associated with independent filmmaking in Russia, ROMB offers an opportunity to producers seeking new frontiers.
Licensing
ROMB has an extensive archive of footage that is available for licensing. From interviews with protagonists to scene-setting B-roll, our library spans the full range of topics and locations covered by ROMB since 2017. For example, SBS Australia licensed footage of interviews with the mothers of conscripted soldiers from Buryatia who died in Ukraine for a documentary about Russia’s invasion.
ROMB is administered by the German non-profit Vereinigung für die Demokratie e.V., based in Berlin, which makes all operational work relatively smooth. Our German entity, operating from a safe jurisdiction, handles all international contracts and at the same time ensures that our journalists in the country have everything they need for their work, including up-to-date security protocols and digital, legal and psychological support.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us for queries about co-production partnerships and footage licensing.