― 11 октября 2023 г.

The Third Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World came to an end

The “Third Korkut Ata  Film Festival of the Turkic World” held in Azerbaijan within the framework of "Shusha - the  Cultural Capital of the Turkic World  2023" declared by TURKSOY, ended with a magnificent Award Ceremony held at the Heydar Aliyev Centre.

The ceremony took place in the presence of TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Kerimli, the President of the Baku Media Centre Arzu Aliyeva, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye Batuhan Mumcu as well as distinguished representatives of the art of cinema  of the Turkic World along with famous producers, directors, screenwriters, actors and art lovers.

In the opening speech he delivered at the ceremony, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev stressed that the Korkut Ata Film Festival was launched 3 years ago upon initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and with the support of TURKSOY and noted that this special event held for the third time  today in Azerbaijan, is only one of many other  concrete outputs of our unity, brotherhood and desire to build a common future.

Stating that the Festival, which has become a source of pride for the Turkic World, was organised outside Türkiye for the first time, Secretary General Raev expressed his gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev for making this possible and always supporting activities of TURKSOY.

Mr. Raev also thanked the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan for its high-level hospitality and said: 

"The Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World  is a unique gathering where we express new ideas which do not only shape  the future of Turkic cinema, but also indirectly outline the future of the Turkic World. It is an event where we cooperate  to carry our national, moral, human, spiritual and cultural values to the future. Watching the films shown at this festival  decades later, we will witness the history of the transformation of the Turkic World all together.

Distinguished guests,

For me, cinema means history, memory. The cinema professionals among you this evening are the valuable labourers of our cultural life who keep this memory alive.  They are the people who contribute to the discovery of the rich culture we have, who have become a mirror to the Turkic World and who have taken it upon themselves to carry out works that will transmit our cultural values from one generation to the next. This festival is a unique opportunity for those who want to get to know the Turkic World and its art of  Cinema.

Hence, let me take this opportunity to  greet all citizens of the  Turkic World working to contribute to tge development of Turkic cinema with my deepest respect and thank them once again in your presence."

Following his speech, Secretary General Sultan Raev handed over the "Special Award of TURKSOY" to the People's Artist of  Azerbaijan, Fahreddin Manafov.

The  festival which featured 32 films from  Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye and Turkmenistan as well as Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Sakha-Yakutia, Tyva, Chuvashia, Karachay, Balkar, Nogai and Gagauzia (Moldova) went on with the handing over of awards to their winners.

The  Special Award of the Festival was handed over to Hemide Ömerova, Ogtay Mirgasımov, Orman Aliyev and Agasi Memmedli from Azerbaijan, Azamat Satıbaldı from Kazakhstan, Firdavs Abdulhalikov from Uzbekistan, Serdar Gökhan and Metin Günay from Türkiye, Khojagulu Narlıyev, Mayagüzel Aymedova and Charlıyar Seyidli from Turkmenistan in recignition of  their contributions to the cinema of the Turkic World. 

The "Special  Award of the Jury" went to Dosjan Janbotaev from Kazakhstan, the director of the film "Jambyl", and Murat Pay from Türkiye, the director of the film “Always 33 Years Old”. 

Best Film Award won by  "Star Dust" from Türkiye

The "Best Film Award" went to "Star Dust" from Türkiye. The award was handed over to the Director of the film Ahmet Sonmez by Arzu Aliyeva, the President of the Baku Media Centre.

The "Best Director Award" went to the Kyrgyz director Asel Juraeva for her film "God Gave". 

The "Best Screenplay Award" went to the Uzbek film "Abdulla Oripov". 

The "Best Actress Award" was awarded to Tehmine Rafaella from Azerbaijan for her performance in the film "Maryam" and the “Best Actor Award” went to Ahmet Amandurdiyev from Turkmenistan for his performance  in the film "Red Apple". 

The first prize in the category of documentaries was awarded to "The Last" from Azerbaijan while  the second prize went to "Argau" from Kazakhstan, and the third prize was awarded to "My Apartment" from Uzbekistan. 

The Minister of Culture Adil Kerimli who took the floor at the end of the Award Ceremony,  stated that the city of Anev of Turkmenistan, which was elected as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World  2024 pursuant to the decision of the 39th Term Meeting of the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY Member Countries, will host the "4th Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World" and presented the "Crane" statue which is  the symbol of the festival, to the representative of Turkmenistan.

The Award Ceremony was followed by a closing concert held at the Heydar Aliyev Centre featuring excerpts from the Dede Korkut Epic along with folklore performances from  the Turkic World.