Director General of Mosfilm Russian Film Studio, filmmaker Karen Shakhnazarov was named a possible candidate for Russian Minister of Culture, with current Minister Alexander Avdeev to soon quit his post.

However, as Interfax reported, quoting a reliable source, “it won’t be easy to find a man like Shakhnazarov to replace him on the post of Director General.”

The head of governmental department for culture and education Denis Molchanov, presidential advisor on cultural matters Yuri Laptev and Deputy Minister Grigory Ivliev were also named among ministerial hopefuls, Molchanov enjoying the best chances in the list.

With Avdeev, soon to become 65, announcing his intention to retire, no official information is provided as to his successor.