The IV International Film Festival in Bishkek concluded on June 12, bringing to a close one of the most significant cultural events of the year in Kyrgyzstan. Held from June 7 to 12, the festival welcomed participants from more than 30 countries and presented a rich program of screenings, premieres, educational events, script workshops, pitching sessions, and professional discussions.
The program of the IV Bishkek Film Festival included three main sections: the International Competition, the Central Asian Film Competition, and the national program KyrgyzBox. At the closing ceremony, the festival announced the winners across all competitive sections.
Winners of the KyrgyzBox Program
Grand Prix for Best Film: “Restart“, producer Suyum Sulaymanova
Best Director: Ruslan Akun for “Paradise Under the Feet of Mothers 2: Letter to Mother”
Best Actress: Aylin Talaybekova for “Kıyal”
Best Cinematography: Kerim Kasymaliev for “Jez kempir”
Winners of the Central Asian Film Competition
Grand Prix for Best Film: “Kaitadan” (Kazakhstan), producer Zhalyn Tleubergen
Best Director: Nurjamal Karamoldoeva for “Dünüyö” (“Only Heaven Knows“, Kyrgyzstan)
Best Performance by Female Actors: the duo of young actresses from “Another Birth” (Tajikistan)
Special Jury Prize: “Akyrky dem” (“The Last Breath”, Kyrgyzstan), directed by Avtandil Batyrbekov
Special Mention by the Jury: “Shermendelik karnaval” (“Carnival of Shame”, Kyrgyzstan), directed by Aman Azhymatov
Winners of the International Competition
Best Film: “On Your Lap” (Indonesia), producers Arya Ibrahim and Gita Fara
Best Director: Ariobarzan for “The Divine Ideal Of Killing” (Iran)
Best Actress: Shabnam Dadkhah for “The Divine Ideal Of Killing” (Iran)
Special Jury Award for Best Screenplay: Topchugul Shaidullaeva and Aktan Arym Kubat for “Black, Red, Yellow” (Kyrgyzstan)
Special Mention by the Jury: “Kyr” by director Davide Angiuli
Special Mention by the Jury: Malich Cisse for “On Edge” (Italy)
