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Abstract: In modern Russian society there is a problem of ethnic tolerance which reveals itself in the signs of ethnic intolerance, aggression and extremism. The solution of this problem requires availability of versatile efficient methods of ethnic tolerance formation. Cinematherapy can act as one of such methods. Films, thanks to their influencing mechanisms in combination with purposeful training, allow exerting impact on mentality of the personality, belief, and attitude. The goal of the research is experimental verification of efficiency of cinematherapy for students’ ethnic tolerance formation. The experts selected three movies that portray interethnic interaction and the main character’s personal qualities and identity. As the main characters belong to minor ethnic groups, they suffer prejudice and intolerance caused by their ethnicity. Having watched the films the students were offered special exercises and took part in discussion aimed at separation of the hero’s identity from his ethnicity, discussion of importance of ethnic tolerance in everyday life. Ethnic beliefs were measured by test forms: "A tolerance index" (G. U. Soldatova, O. A. Kravtsova, L. A. Shaygerova), "Types and components of tolerance- intolerance" (G. L. Bardiyer), "Types of ethnic identity" (G. U. Soldatova, S. V. Ryzhova), and a semantic differential. As a result of the training a considerable change of ethnic tolerant attitudes of students was revealed. In experimental group there was an increase in the level of ethnic tolerance, and decrease in influence of negative ethnic stereotypes and influence of the category "nationality" in people’s estimation.