The XIX Kazan International Muslim Film Festival Ended in Kazan

On 9 September, the XIX Kazan International Muslim Film Festival, which was held with the support of the Group of Strategic Vision «Russia – Islamic World», concluded in Kazan. For a week, the residents of Kazan and the festival jury had an opportunity to enjoy watching world films about goodness, justice, traditions of different nations of the world, love and loyalty to oneself.

The top prize for Best Feature Film went to the Iranian film “Bez Predvaritel’noy Dogovorennosti” (“Without Prior Arrangement”) by Behrouz Shoaibi. The head of the jury, Senegalese director Moussa Touré, presented this award, which includes a certificate for 1 million rubles. The film follows the life of the main character, Jasmine, her son with autism and their return to Iran after the death of his father. This visit changes her perspective on life and death.

Mayanglambama Romi Meitei for the film “Nash Dom” (“Our Home”), India, in the Best Director of Feature Film category, the film “Fortuna” (Tajikistan) in the Best Screenplay of Feature Film category and others also received their awards.

The XIX Kazan International Muslim Film Festival, supported by Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision «Russia – Islamic World» Rustam Minnikhanov, presented 52 films from 24 countries in the competition program, as well as more than 60 films out of competition. Tatarstan filmmakers participated in all the nominations.

A special prize of the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan was introduced into the competition and this year it was awarded to the film “Neschastny Zhenih” (“Unhappy Groom”), Uzbekistan, by Khusnor Rozmatov “For Humanism in Cinematography”.

The list of prize-winning films of the film festival:

1. “Bez Predvaritel’noy Dogovorennosti” (“Without Prior Arrangement”) by Behrouz Shoaibi – Grand Prize for Best Feature Film;
2. “Nash Dom” (“Our Home”), India, by Mayanglambama Romi Meitei – Best Director of Feature Film Award;
3. “Fortuna” (Tajikistan) by Bakhtiyer Karimov and Mukhiddin Muzaffar – Best Screenplay of Feature Film Award;
4. “Ada” (Russia) by Pavel Medvedev – Best Cinematographer of Feature Film Award;
5. “Dignity” (Greece) by Vaggelio Andreaki – Best Actor in Feature Film Award;
6. “Bez Predvaritel’noy Dogovorennosti” (“Without Prior Arrangement”), Iran, Pegah Ahangarani was named Best Actress;
7. “Bebia, Babua, Anzorik, Me and Mama” (Russia) by Raul Heydarov – Best Short Feature Film;
8. “Begletsi” (“Runaways”), Russia by Julia Bobkova –Best Feature-Length Documentary Film;
9. “Dusha Prirody. Bakdi”, (“The Soul of Nature. Bakdi”), Algeria, by Salah Boufell – Best Short Documentary Film;
10.   “Mishka” (Russia) by Julia Zakharova – Best National Film;
11.  “Khasite: Legends of Tatarstan” (Tatarstan) by Leyla Salakhatdinova – Best Documentary National Film;
12.  “Moy Narod – Tatary. Kod Uspekha” (“My People – Tatars. Code of Success”), Tatarstan, by Oleg Ko – Best National Short Film.

These films were recognized at the festival with various awards and prizes in their respective categories.

On the final day of the XIX Kazan International Muslim Film Festival, a joint meeting of the organizers and jury members of the festival was held at the Government House of the Republic of Tatarstan. The event was chaired by Vasil Shaikhraziyev, vice prime minister of the republic, who also headed the Organizing Committee of the festival. He noted the high level of preparation of the festival and expressed his gratitude for the invitation.

Chairman of the Jury Moussa Touré, a famous film director from Senegal, expressed his gratitude and highlighted the beauty and hospitality of Kazan, wishing success to the organizers and the festival.

The other jury members, Mukhtar Lajimi (Tunisia), Dali Okropiridze (Georgia), Walid Seif (Egypt), Gavin Li (China) and others expressed their gratitude and wishes for success.

Minister of Culture of Tatarstan Irada Ayupova stressed that the jury members appreciated the professionalism of the Selection Committee and the quality of films in the competition. She also highlighted an interesting proposal to choose one country as a partner of the festival each year, not only in the context of the “Days of Cinema” of this country, but also in the information coverage.

According to the minister, the main goal of the festival should be to present films to distributors and determine their future fate. She emphasized the importance of cooperation with distributors and mass media.

Irada Ayupova also noted that at the meetings with the guests of honor of the festival, Emir Kusturica and Fyodor Bondarchuk, directives were given by Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of Tatarstan, regarding the development of the film festival.

At the conclusion of the session, Vasil Shaikhraziyev announced the 20th Kazan International Muslim Film Festival, which will be held from 7 to 11 September 2024 in the capital of Tatarstan.

Note that this year’s festival also featured an extensive out of competition program, which included a variety of thematic highlights. These are the categories of the out of competition program:

- “Russia – Islamic World”, “Turkic World” (featuring films by cinematographers from Turkic countries);
- “Kazan Premiers”, “To the 100th Anniversary of Tatarstan Cinematography” (retrospective of the best films);
- “Ethnic Cinema: Points of Growth” (films about traditions and customs of the world’s peoples);
- “VGIK Presents” (films by VGIK students and graduates);
- “Visiting Childhood” and “Oh! Sport! You Are the World” (films by the Directorate of Sports Programs).

Earlier, the Korston Cinema hosted a meeting with famous film director and screenwriter Almaz Nurgaliyev. At the festival, as part of the Russia – Islamic World program, he presented his new film “Plaksa” (“Crybaby”), where he acted as scriptwriter, cameraman, editor and producer.

The film “Plaksa” tells about the life of Azgar Shakirov, People’s Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Russian Federation. In the film, the viewer will get acquainted with the biography and outlook of this outstanding artist, as well as learn about his views on life and national identity.

At the meeting, Almaz Nurgaliyev shared his hopes for the success of the film and said that work on it has just begun. It is planned to launch the film in October this year.

In the evening, the Kazan City Hall hosted an awards ceremony for the film festival winners. It was attended by a distinguished guest – Yugoslav and Serbian film director and actor, Emir Kusturica. He has won awards at major European film festivals, including two Palme d’Ors at the Cannes Film Festival.

Addressing the participants and spectators of the ceremony, he highlighted the role of Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov in the development of Kazan and the republic and said, ‘Your president, when talking about Kazan and your people often uses the word ‘joy’ and ‘future’. And I wish that where I live, our president speaks like your president’.

In her speech, Minister of Culture Irada Ayupova noted that the festival is a place where young film directors can realize their dreams and take the first steps in their film careers. She also emphasized that first of all the film festival is a school for Tatarstan cinema. ‘Just recently I met with our filmmakers, and I told them that the coming years will see a real boom in our Tatarstan cinema. Because the critical mass has been accumulated, 19 film festivals is a lot of baggage,’ Ayupova noted.

Rector of the Kazan State Institute of Culture Roza Akhmadiyeva presented the Audience Award at the closing ceremony. She noted with pleasure that this prize went to the graduates of the Kazan State Institute of Culture, Irek Khafizov and Amir Galiaskarov, and their film “823 Kilometre”. In the Year of Teacher and Mentor announced by the President of the Russian Federation and in the Year of Folk Art Culture announced by Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, I would like to inspire all teachers and mentors. The director of the film, which was awarded the Prize in the Best National Film nomination, Julia Zakharova is our graduate. Now it is our pride,’ she added.

During the jury’s press round, Tunisian film director Mukhtar Lajimi put forward his new idea for film screenings. He said that next year it would be interesting to watch films together with the general public, not only to experience the film, but also to see the audience’s reaction.

The festival was supported by Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Group of Strategic Vision «Russia – Islamic World». The main idea of the festival is to promote dialogue between cultures and the culture of dialogue.

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"