Kazan Film Festival Supports Tatarstan Filmmakers

National Program introduced in 2017 remains among the competitive nominations of the 16^th Kazan Film Festival. The program includes the films created in 2019-2020 in Tatarstan or with the participation of the region (co-production) as well as the films about the Republic without restrictions on genres and duration. The films selected for the National Program compete for cash prizes: the filmmakers of the best national film will receive 200,000 rubles, whereas the authors of the best national short, documentary and children film will receive 100,000 rubles, respectively.

Currently, 16 entries have been registered for participation in the National Program, including a feature, a documentary, an animation and several short films. The program also includes two TV films shown on the TNV channel.

Traditionally, the graduates of the Department of Film and Television of the Kazan State Institute of Culture are the most active in participating in this program with their feature and short films as well as animations. The Selection Committee pays special attention to such works, as they represent the future of Tatarstan’s cinematograph. Moreover, one entry was produced by a student of the Russian Islamic University. New works of well-known national film-makers as Yuzeev, Galiaskarov and Sungatullin are also submitted for participation in this program. The entries are accepted until June 1. The shortlist of this program formed by the Selection Committee will include 10 films.

‘The winners of the National Program, comparing to other programs of the festival, will be awarded with cash prizes to support Tatarstan filmmakers’, emphasizes Milyausha Aytuganova, the Director of Tatarkino. ‘I would like to thank the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, who annually supports the Festival. The head of the Republic has also established a Special Presidential Prize of 500,000 rubles, although it does not necessarily go to the films of the National Program. Another prize with a monetary reward of 300,000 rubles was established by our partner, Russia — Islamic World Strategic Vision Group.

The 16^th Kazan International Film Festival will be held from September 4 to 9, 2020. 52 films will compete for the festival prizes: 12 full-length feature films, 10 full-length documentaries, 20 short feature films and 10 films of the National Program. The films of the National Program are evaluated by the jury members separately. The remaining films of the competition program are awarded by the jury in 8 main categories: best film, best director, best script, best camera work, best actor, best actress, best short film and best documentary. All winners receive statuettes and diplomas of the festival.