KIMFF will screen three world premieres

A press conference about the held of the XVIII Kazan International Muslim Film Festival took place in the Information agency “Tatar inform”. At the meeting with the representatives of media took part Head of the Department of Networking, International and Interregional Cooperation Victoria Dautova and the executive director of the festival Miliausha Aituganova. The chairman of the selection committee Nina Kochelyaeva joined the conference in online regime.

We remind you that the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival is one of the largest film viewing which has been held in Kazan since 2005. This year it will be held from September 7 to 11, with the support of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan and in the partnership with Strategic vision group “Russia – Islamic world”.

Totally this year 625 applications from 44 countries of the world were registered. The shortlist of competition films has already been published by the selection committee. Totally, 50 works were included – 10 in 5 nominations: full-length and short feature films, as well as full-length and short documentaries, national competition.

Nina Kochelyaeva pointed out that the task of the festival is to show the diversity of themes which interest modern filmmakers. “Of course, the greater part of themes relates to ethnic and religious, as well as universal values like family, friendship, coexistence of people in peace and harmony, good neighbourliness of different nations”, she pointed.

She also pointed that this year the selection committee screened out films promoting disrespect for religion and a call for military action. “For instance, we had a discussion about a Moldovan film that tells the story of a girl killed by the Taliban (“Taliban” is a terrorist and banned organization in Russia – ed.). We have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to present the film because it starts with the scene where the Taliban shoot civilians”, she told.

Nina Kochelyaeva noted that within the competition program three world premieres will be presented to the audience, among which the family film “The adventures of a little Bachi” by Alexander Galibin, the Kazakh work “Mukagali”, the Iranian film “Silent Glory” and the co-production of Tatarstan and Kazakhstan film “Tarlan”.

Among the documentaries the world premiere will be the Iranian work “No one is waiting”.

“According to the regulations of the festiva,l we held a competition program of national films of Tatarstan, since the Tatarstan film industry as evidenced by the selection for main international competition programs, is warming up”, she noted.

She turned her attention to the emerging tendency in Tatarstan film industry – making films in co-production with other countries, which, in her opinion, has a beneficial impact on the development of cinema in the region. Apart from “Tarlan” such co-production films as “Uncle Misha” (Tajikistan and Tatarstan) and “Hallway of Memories” (Vietnam and Tatarstan) will be presented in the national competition.

The speakers also reminded that Honored artist and National artist of Russia Vladimir Khotinenko became the chairman of the jury, and the jury members are prominent figures in the field of cinema from Algeria, Kazakhstan, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, India. Russia will also be presented in the jury of the festival by well-known film expert, historian of cinema, Doctor of Arts, documentary filmmaker Valery Fomin and Rector of Kazan Islamic Institute Rafik Mukhametshin.

Non-competition program will offer 50 films from all over Russia and countries of the neighboring foreign and far-abroad countries. This was told by Miliausha Aituganova. All of them refer to separate compilations. Traditionally, films from programs “Russia – Islamic world” and “The Turkic world” will be presented at the festival. The first one aims at introduction to the cultural diversity of countries included in this group, and the second – at uniting outstanding examples of cinematography of the Turkic-speaking nations.

This year the festival includes a program dedicated to the 1100^th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria. “We requested the film “The Muslim” by Vladimir Khotinenko because this film, perhaps, for the first time in the history of Russian cinematography themes of Islam and tolerance were touched upon”, she noted.

Except other films, there will be shown the Uzbek film “Ibrat” starring Farkhat Makhmudov known by roles in “Brigade”, “Outpost”, “Baron”. At the screening day there will be a meeting with him.

For the anniversaries of directors Andrew Tarkovsky and Vladimir Motyl’ their retrospectives will be presented within the festival, and to the jubilee of the famous animator Vyacheslav Kotenochkin several of his works are included in the children’s program. Restored Uzbek and Kazakh cartoons will also embellish the children’s compilation.

Each year non-competition program includes “Kazan premieres”. This year the viewer will see not only the trailers or excerpts of upcoming premieres but also such films as “Khazina Gallery Baki Urmanche” by Rozalia Zakieva. Here TNV will also present its TV-series.

Apart from film screenings and the competition program, the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival focuses on the business platform. Last year regional film market was implemented.

“The regional film market has become especially in demand in the current conditions, while Russian movie theaters are deprived of the opportunity to broadcast Hollywood films. Today Russian film distribution is in urgent search for a replacement of it and we invited some foreign countries with their presentations”, Aituganova informed.

In her opinion, Russia might be interested in the latest Iranian and Turkish films. The CIS countries where cinematography is experiencing renaissance today, will also actively present their production. Bollywood producers are also invited to participate.

“Russian viewer is not used to the regional “product”. But I hope that in 2-3 years the Russian film distribution will be enriched by qualitative regional cinematography. And don’t forget about the Internet platforms, that are already willing to take regional productions today”, Nina Kochelyaeva added.

Also, at the festival business platform an International pitching of film projects will be held. Only those applications that offer filmmaking in co-production with the republic are accepted. 50 applications have been submitted for pitching. Among those willing to make films in co-production with Tatarstan are Egypt, Turkey, India, Kazakhstan, Abkhazia, UAE, Azerbaijan and others.

Miliausha Aituganova pointed out that for the first time during the course of the business platform a forum of film schools will be gathered. Cinema educational institutions are invited to it. What is more, not only state such as the VGIK or Saint-Petersburg State Institute of Cinema and Television but also private schools. The speakers will discuss further development of cinema education in Russia, mid-level, in particular.

The XVIII Kazan International Muslim Film Festival will be attended by more than 100 guests from Russian regions and other countries. “We do not want to speak about the celebrities in advance, because not all of them confirmed their participation. We will get the confirmation closer to the festival. But I want to note that we invite the guests not just to walk beautifully through the red carpet, but to work”, she told.

So, for today actress Olesya Sudzilovskaya, who was entrusted to conduct the opening of the film forum, actress Natalya Varley who will hold a meeting with the audience have confirmed their participation in the project. At the premiere of his film, Alexander Galibin, known for such works as “Master and Margarita”, “Little sister” will meet with the audience. The opening will be attended by Maxim Lagashkin, who will present film with his participation “My Dad is the leader”. At the closing of the festival Alexander Pankratov-Cherny and actor Ivan Kolesnikov are expected.

Photos from the press-conference: https://disk.yandex.ru/d/HyOHfwCCXXvspw

Video form the press-conference: https://youtu.be/e3qYhFDPBqI