The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, has signed the Decree “About Measures for the Development of the National Film Industry and Further Improvement of the System of State Support for the Cinematography of the Kyrgyz Republic”. Among the tasks set by the President for cinematographers of the KR is to hold annually a Bishkek IFF.

Fisrt Bishkek International Film festival

Dates: 17-21 November 2023

Place: Bishkek

Prize: Snow Leopard

Idea: President of the Kyrgyz Republic

The 1st festival will be dedicated to the 95th anniversary of Chingiz Aitmatov

Programs: National Competition, International Competition, Retrospective of films based on Aitmatov’s novels, Conference “Aitmatov & cinema”, CAF Pitch, Master-Classes, Turkish Cinema Week etc.

First Bishkek IFF: Programs & events:

   - The film festival is also dedicated to the 95th anniversary of Kyrgyz famous writer Chingiz Aitmatov. Retrospective screenings of films based on the works of the great writer will be held around the city. Experts on the work of Aitmatov will participate in panel discussions and negotiate future projects with local cinema figures. 

   - The festival program includes an opening ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall.

   - The guest of honor of the event is Turkan Soray, a Turkish actress, director and writer. One of the main works of the actress was a role in the movie based on the work of Chyngyz Aitmatov, shooted by turkish producers "My poplar in a red scarf".

   - Two competition programs will be held within the framework of the festival. 10 feature films will compete in the International competition, 8 feature films in the National competition. The jury consists of Semih Kaplanoglu (Turkey), Philip Cheah (Singapore), Elena Dulgheru (Romania), Park Sung Young (Korea) and Gulsara Azhibekova (Kyrgyzstan).

   - The Bishkek International Film Festival will have Master classes covering production and industrial aspects on the following topics: 

• Artificial intelligence and cinema 
• Acting skills
• Virtual reality and cinema 
• Modern conditions of the distribution market

Everyone will be able to attend these master classes. Prizes will be raffled among the participants.

   - 10 projects are selected at CAF Pitch (Central Asian Film projects Pitching) and presented at the Bishkek International Film Festival. The winner of the pitching will be awarded a sum of money in the amount of 300 000 KGZ. Priorities in pitching are focused on identifying new talents and supporting young directors with debut projects. Representatives of foreign foundations, independent producers and distributors were invited to the pitching session as a jury.

Also, within the framework of the CAF Pitch, several projects will have the opportunity to be presented at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival 2024, at a Workshop on Co-production dedicated to the cinema of Central Asia and organized jointly with the CNC - the French National Center for Cinematography and Animation.

Bermet Nurgazy kyzy (PR Manager)

+996 501 212 707 

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