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🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan /Culture & Society

Documentary Film Festival 'UmutDoc' to Showcase Central Asian Cinema in Bishkek

From 24.kg · () Russian

Translated from Russian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Bishkek will host the II International Festival UmutDoc from September 10-14, focusing on documentary cinema.
  • The festival features 24 films from seven countries and includes an industry program with international experts.
  • Organizers aim to promote documentary filmmaking in Kyrgyzstan and provide a platform for Central Asian directors on the global stage.

Bishkek is set to become a hub for documentary filmmakers and enthusiasts as it hosts the second annual UmutDoc International Festival from September 10 to 14. This year's festival will showcase a diverse range of cinematic voices, featuring eight full-length and sixteen short films from across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Latvia.

Our main task is to attract more attention to documentary cinema and create opportunities for directors who choose this format of conversation with the viewer and the world.

— Asel Marazhabai kyzyThe promotion producer for UmutDoc explaining the festival's core mission.

The festival aims to elevate the profile of documentary filmmaking within Kyrgyzstan and the broader Central Asian region. "Our main task is to attract more attention to documentary cinema and create opportunities for directors who choose this format of conversation with the viewer and the world," explained Asel Marazhabai kyzy, the promotion producer for UmutDoc.

Beyond the competitive screenings, UmutDoc is emphasizing an industry program designed to connect emerging talent with international professionals. Representatives from prestigious platforms like Cannes Docs, Berlin Film Residencies, and DocsBarcelona will participate, offering masterclasses and networking opportunities. "At such meetings, you can learn not only about the trends of the modern industry but also understand how to make a film noticed and promoted on prestigious international platforms," Marazhabai kyzy added.

At such meetings, you can learn not only about the trends of the modern industry but also understand how to make a film noticed and promoted on prestigious international platforms.

— Asel Marazhabai kyzyHighlighting the benefits of the festival's industry program for filmmakers.

This year, the festival is also introducing a student jury, a move aimed at engaging the next generation of filmmakers and audiences. "We wanted the new generation not just to be viewers or participants in the competition, but also to have the right to evaluate the competitive films," the producer stated. With a prize fund of $80,000, UmutDoc is poised to make a significant impact on the regional documentary scene, fostering creativity and facilitating global exposure for Central Asian storytellers.

We wanted the new generation not just to be viewers or participants in the competition, but also to have the right to evaluate the competitive films.

— Asel Marazhabai kyzyExplaining the rationale behind introducing a student jury.
About this summary

Originally published by 24.kg in Russian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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