After receiving an M.S. degree in Oceanography, Vitaly Sumin produced ocean-related documentaries (Jacques Cousteau style) which eventually led him to abandon his scientific career to get a B.A. degree in film directing. He subsequently worked as a co-writer and producer on numerous productions.
Sumin’s award winning short film "From Womb To Tomb", which he wrote, directed edited, and produced, made a world tour of important festivals. Sumin received a US patent #4,784,394 for his invention "The World Belongs To You!" - an interactive tourist game (including video, reality TV and other versions).
Resuming his film pursuit, Sumin attended the Sorbonne in Paris under a study grant. His script "The Idiot", which recast Fyodor Dostoyevsky novel as a contemporary international thriller, received a development grant from The Warner Bros Fund.
Later Sumin moved to Los Angeles, California, and created VM Productions to develop and produce quality films based on original stories and masterpieces of world literature. (Other VM Productions activities: music videos, commercials, industrial films...)
In June 2013 he was appointed as a Jury Member of the short films section by the Direction of the 16th International Film Festival Brigantina, Ukraine - http://www.notesthemovie.com/Brigantine-Jury-Shorts-June,2013.html
2006-2013: Writer/Producer/Director: feature film "Shades of Day" –www.shadesofday.com in the framework of his “Dostoevsky-Los Angeles Project” - http://www.shadesofday.com/VMP/new-projects.htm "Shades of Day" – an adaptation of Dostoevsky’s novella “White Nights” was selected by the Rutgers University’s professor Gerald Pirog for his course in cinema along with the classic works by Bertolucci, Kurosawa, Bresson, Scorsese, Schrader, Von Sternberg... http://www.shadesofday.com/critics.htm For various reasons – mainly because the film was shot on super 16 – separately in b&w and color - the negative remained uncut and the film hasn’t been submitted to the festivals – until April 2013 – after the Director’s Cut-2013 has been finally completed.
In 2011 Vitaly wrote, directed and produced feature film "Notes From The New World" –http://www.vmpfilms.com/Notes_from_the_new_world.html - an adaptation of “Notes From The Underground” by F. Dostoevsky - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1558579/ (the second chapter of ‘Dostoevsky-LA Project” – http://www.shadesofday.com/VMP/new-projects.htm)
2012: Vitaly produced the 19 mini-series project titled "The Missing Screenwriter" that became a winner of the 14th Intern. Festival of Detective Films - Moscow, Russia – April 2012 (Category “Crime and Punishment”):http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1846778/
Sumin's project "CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, LA” made it to the top 8 for the European Co-Production Matchmaking Program, which was featured during a panel at SXSW -2017! "C&P, LA" – represent the third chapter of Sumin's ambitious “LA-Dostoyevsky Project” - a re-envisioning of Dostoyevsky's classic novel transported to LA during the riots of 1992: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Winners-Announced-European-Co-Production-Match-Making-Program Currently the project is in active development: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6812518/?ref_=nm_knf_i4
In 2017 Sumin was invited by Professor Marcus C. Levitt, Director of Graduate studies in the USC to screen the films of his “Dostoevsky-LA Project” for the USC students.
2017-2018: –post –production of the 2 feature length movies: -"Behind The Scenes Documentary- Reimagining Dostoevsky" (writer, producer, director) – www.dostoevsky-bts.com Trailer:https://vimeo.com/58390140 -"The Missing Screenwriter" - based on 19 award winning mini-series. Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/withoutabox/vi3037698585?ref_=tt_pv_vi_1
2017-2018: Development of the package of 3 feature length projects (writer, producer, director): "Idiot, LA", "Shades of Blood", "Crime &Punishment, LA" with the participation of A and B cast: www.shadesofday.com/VMP/new-projects.htm
  • Producer (24 Credits)
    Notes From the New World - Spanish subtitles (burned-in)
    Feature
    AN LA STORY: The Making of the award-winning "Notes from the New World"2024
    Documentary
    Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-20232023
    Feature
    JOG2020
    Short
    LIPSTICK2020
    Short
    LIPSTICK - 12020
    Short
    PAGES2020
    Feature, Short
    Spider Man & Rodion Raskolnikov2020
    Animation, Documentary, Experimental
    BURGLARY2019
    Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood2019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 12019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 22019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 32019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 42019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Series2019
    Animation, Other
    THE DARKER THE NIGHT... 2019
    Documentary, Experimental, Other
    BEASTS & HUMANS2018
    Documentary, Experimental
    BTS - Dostoyevsky Reimagined - IN POST PRODUCTION2018
    Documentary, Other
    Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-20222013
    Feature
    TRAILER - Shades of Day - New Director's Cut2013
    Other
    The Missing Screenwriter - web series2012
    Web / New Media, Other
    TRAILER - The Missing Screenwriter2012
    Other
    Notes From The New World - TRAILER (#1)2010
    Other
    Notes From The New World - TRAILER (#2)2010
    Other
  • Director (19 Credits)
    Notes From the New World - Spanish subtitles (burned-in)
    Feature
    AN LA STORY: The Making of the award-winning "Notes from the New World"2024
    Documentary
    Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-20232023
    Feature
    Spider Man & Rodion Raskolnikov2020
    Animation, Documentary, Experimental
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood2019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 12019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 22019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 32019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Episode 42019
    Animation, Short
    Nick's Adventures in Hollywood - Series2019
    Animation, Other
    THE DARKER THE NIGHT... 2019
    Documentary, Experimental, Other
    BEASTS & HUMANS2018
    Documentary, Experimental
    BTS - Dostoyevsky Reimagined - IN POST PRODUCTION2018
    Documentary, Other
    Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-20222013
    Feature
    TRAILER - Shades of Day - New Director's Cut2013
    Other
    The Missing Screenwriter - web series2012
    Web / New Media, Other
    TRAILER - The Missing Screenwriter2012
    Other
    Notes From The New World - TRAILER (#1)2010
    Other
    Notes From The New World - TRAILER (#2)2010
    Other
  • Writer (16 Credits)
    "Dare to Dream" aka "The Third Image"
    Screenplay
    Catherine 1, 2
    Screenplay
    Crime and Punishment, LA
    Screenplay
    Love Game
    Screenplay
    NANCY'S GAME
    Screenplay
    Notes From the New World - Spanish subtitles (burned-in)
    Feature
    SHADES OF BLOOD
    Screenplay
    AN LA STORY: The Making of the award-winning "Notes from the New World"2024
    Documentary
    Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-20232023
    Feature
    BTS - Dostoyevsky Reimagined - IN POST PRODUCTION2018
    Documentary, Other
    Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-20222013
    Feature
    TRAILER - Shades of Day - New Director's Cut2013
    Other
    The Missing Screenwriter - web series2012
    Web / New Media, Other
    TRAILER - The Missing Screenwriter2012
    Other
    Notes From The New World - TRAILER (#1)2010
    Other
    Notes From The New World - TRAILER (#2)2010
    Other
Best Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
CineMente Movies & Screenplay Awards
Milano
2023
Best Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Ponza Film Awards
Ponza
2023
Best Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Art Film Awards
Skopje
2023
Best Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Best International Film Festival
Bucharest
2023
Best Feature Film Worldwide
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
8th Moving Pictures Festival
Antwerpen
2023
Special Award
LIPSTICK
Only The Best Film Awards
Miami
2022
Special Awards - Animation
Nick's Adventures in Hollywood
Only The Best Film Awards
Miami
2022
Best Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Tokyo Film Awards
Tokyo
2022
Best Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Portugal Indie Film Festival
Nazare
2022
Best Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Kiez Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin
2022
Best Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Cinematic European Film Festival
Bucharest
2022
Best Feature Film - Outstanding Achievement Award
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Black Swan International Film Festival
Kolkata
2022
Best Drama Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Only The Best Film Awards
Miami
2022
Critic Choice Award - Best Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Gangtok International Film festival
Gangtok
2022
Best Thriller Feature
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
18th Session - Goldstar Film Awards
New Jersy
2022
Outstanding Achievement Award
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Black Swan International Film Festival
Kolkata
2022
Best Narrative Feature
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
TWILIGHT TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Tokyo
2022
Best Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Only The Best Film Awards
Miami
2022
Outstanding Achievement -Silver Award - Best Narrative Feature
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Virgin Spring Cinefest International Film Festival - 48th session
Kolkata
2021
Best Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Virgin Spring Cinefest
Kolkata
2021
Best Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Wonderland International Film Festival
Sydney
2021
Best Narrative Feature
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Gangtok International Film Festival
Gangtok
2021
Best Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Big Ben International Film Festival
London
2021
Best Feature Award
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
La Dolce Vita Cine Roma
Rome
2021
Outstanding Achievement Award - Narrative Features Category
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
21st session - World Film Carnival
Singapore
2021
Best Mystery Short
LIPSTICK - 1
6th MADRID ART FILM FESTIVAL
Madrid
2020
Official Selection
LIPSTICK - 1
5th CINEMA NEW YORK CITY FILM FESTIVAL
New York
2020
Best Historic Feature
LIPSTICK - 1
5TH EUROVISION PALERMO FILM FESTIVAL
PALERMO
2020
Best Mystery Short
LIPSTICK
6th MADRID ART FILM FESTIVAL
Madrid
2020
Official Selection
LIPSTICK
5th CINEMA NEW YORK CITY FILM FESTIVAL
New York
2020
Best Historic Feature
LIPSTICK
5TH EUROVISION PALERMO FILM FESTIVAL
PALERMO
2020
Official Selection
Spider Man & Rodion Raskolnikov
5th International Festival Cinema New York City
new
2020
Best Short
Spider Man & Rodion Raskolnikov
5th Eurovision Palermo Film Festival
Palermo
2020
Official Selection
Spider Man & Rodion Raskolnikov
13th International Festival of Detective Films
New York
2020
Best Mystery Short
BURGLARY
5th KYIV INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Kyiv
2020
Best Thriller Short
BURGLARY
6th MADRID ART FILM FESTIVAL
Madrid
2020
Official Selection
BURGLARY
5th CINEMA NEW YORK CITY FILM FESTIVAL
New York
2020
Best Short - Special Jury Price - Nominated
BURGLARY
21st INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DETECTIVE FILMS
Moscow
2020
Best Drama Short
BURGLARY
5TH EUROVISION PALERMO FILM FESTIVAL
PALERMO
2020
Official Selection
Nick's Adventures in Hollywood
6th MADRID ART FILM FESTIVAL
Madrid
2020
Official Selection
Nick's Adventures in Hollywood
5th International Festival Cinema New York City
New York
2020
Best Animation Character
Nick's Adventures in Hollywood
5th Eurovision Palermo Film Festival
Palermo
2020
Official Selection
BTS - Dostoyevsky Reimagined - IN POST PRODUCTION
CINEMA LAB 2020
Zapatoca
2020
Official Selection & Diploma
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Chambal International Film Festival
Kota
2020
Best Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
4th Lulea International Film Festival
Lulea
2020
Official Selection
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Alwar International Film Festival
Alwar
2020
Official Selection
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Mediterranean Film Festival, Cannes
Cannes
2019
Best Action People Choice Award
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Rome Film Awards
Rome
2019
Best Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Picasso, Einstein Budda International Film Festival
Rishikesh
2019
Award Winner - Best Cast
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Continental Film Festival
Toronto
2019
Nominated - Best Trailer
BTS - Dostoyevsky Reimagined - IN POST PRODUCTION
L.A. Neo Noir Novel, Film, & Script Festival
Los Angeles, Ca
2018
Best Trailer in Trailer/Teaser Category
Notes From The New World - TRAILER (#1)
Moscow Independent Film Festival
Moscow
2018
Nominated: Best Script
Crime and Punishment, LA
L.A. Neo Noir Novel, Film, & Script Festival
Los Angeles, Ca
2018
Best Mystery Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
World Film Fair
New York
2018
Best Narrative Feature - Award Winner
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
RA International Independent Film Awards
Šumskas, Vilnius
2018
Special Mention of Jury - Official Selection
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Tlanchana Film Festival
Metepec
2018
Best Neo-Noir Feature Film
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Film Infest - Cine de Auteur
Palma de Mallorca
2018
Official Selection
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Barcelona Planet Film Festival
Barcelona
2018
Best Action Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
World Film Fiar
New York
2018
Best Narrative Feature Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
3rd Underground Cinema Festival
Cusco
2018
BEST FEATURE FILM
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
4th Atlantic International Film Festival
Barranquilla, Atlántico
2018
Official Selection
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
4th Montevideo World Film Festival
Montevideo
2018
Nominated - Best Trailer
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Barcelona Planet Film Festival
Barcelona
2018
Special Mention of Jury - Official Selection
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Tlanchana Festival
Metepec
2018
Diploma - Best Feature Drama (nominated)
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
3 rd I FILMMAKER iNTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Marbella
2018
Official Selection
The Missing Screenwriter - web series
AFC Global Fest
Kolkata
2017
Selected for the Program - https://www.stage32.com/blog/Winners-Announced-European-Co-Production-Match-Making-Program
Crime and Punishment, LA
European Co-Production Match Making Program
SXSW in Austin Texas
2017
Category: International narrative Feature Competition: Official Selection
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
AFC Global Fest
Kolkata
2017
Category: Best Feature Film. Official Selection.
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Stockholm Independent Film Festival
Stockholm
2017
Nominated - Feature Category: Best Drama, Best Suspense, Best Writer
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
AltFF Alternative Film Festival
Toronto
2017
Official Selection
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
European Film Festival (Mainstream & Underground)
Moscow
2017
Official Selection
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
AFC Global Fest
Kolkata
2017
Special Trophy of the Festival
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
2nd Bodhisattva International Film Festival
Patna
2017
Winner
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
5th Headline International Film Festival
Toronto
2017
Best International Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
4th Festival Brazil de Cinema International
Rio de Janeiro
2017
Official Selection - French Film Institute -http://www.shadesofday.com/VMP/index.htm#JULY_15-23,_2017
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
French Film Institute in Beijing,China- Selected Screenings
Beijing
2017
Best Mystery Film
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
2nd Vancouver's FilmDance Festival
Vancouver
2017
Official Selection
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
3rd Singapore World International Film Festival
Singapore
2016
Official Selection
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Film Festival
Pune
2016
Official Selection
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
12 Months Film Festival
Cluj
2016
Finalist
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
IndustryBOOST Competition
Aventura, South Florida
2016
Gold Winner
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
Los Angeles Neo Noir Novel, Film & Script Festival
Los Angeles, Ca
2016
Finalist - Special Screening
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
Cinema New York City Film Festival
New York
2016
Best Artistic Contribution - Overall Grand Jury Winner
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
2nd World International Film Festival
Los Angeles
2016
Bronze Award
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
4th Los Angeles. Neo Noir, Novel, Film & Script Festival
Los Angeles
2016
Official Diploma
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
3rd Singapore World International Film Festival
Singapore
2016
Official Selection
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
BLOW-UP · International Arthouse FILM FEST
Chicago
2015
Diploma
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
22nd International Film Festival of Festivals, St. Petersburg
St.Petersburg, Russia
2014
Diploma
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
2nd Delhi International Film Festival
New Delhi, India
2013
Special Prize - Official Diploma
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
16th International Film Festival "Brigantine"
Berdyansk, Ukraine
2013
Official Diploma
Shades of Day - New Director's Cut-2022
15th Moscow International Festival of Detective Films
Moscow, Russia
2013
- Special Prize of the Organizing Committee – "For artistic achievement and the courage to adapt one of the most profound and complex works of world literature" -- Notes From the Underground, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky -- for the screen.
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
16th International Film Festival Brigantine
Berdyansk, Ukraine
2013
Winner
The Missing Screenwriter - web series
DetectiveFEST (International Festival of Detective Films and Television Programs)
Moscow
2012
Diploma
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
7th Marbella International Film Festival
Marbella, Spain
2012
Best Innovative Screenplay
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
2nd Corinthian International Film Festival
Corinth, Greece
2011
Winner
Notes From The New World - Director's Cut-2023
13th International Festival of Detective Films
Moscow, Russia
2011
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