The third edition of the Bishkek International Film Festival kicked off with a glittering gala in the Kyrgyz capital on 11 June. The young festival screened its films in a total of six sections until 15 June, including the international competition, a Central Asia competition and a ‘Kyrgyzbox’ competition for local box office hits. A German contribution was also represented in the supporting programme: THE ORDINARIES by Sophie Linnenbaum, a graduate of the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and director of the 2015 FFC trailer.
With ambitious goals and cultural funding of around 10 million euros, the Kyrgyz government wants to develop the festival into a Central Asian hub and industry meeting point in the long term - including international appeal. In his opening speech, the Minister of Culture even expressed his desire for A-festival status.
Thematically, the focus was on intercultural dialogue, diversity and film as a universal language. Particularly striking: the commercial success of Kyrgyz genre films, including many horror films that address socially relevant topics such as domestic violence, such as BURNING by Radik Eshimov. DEAL AT THE BORDER, which has already screened at the Cottbus Film Festival, also reflects this development in Kyrgyz arthouse cinema and was shown in the international competition in Bishkek.
The festival also offered an extensive supporting programme with workshops, masterclasses, project pitches and the Central Asian Film Distribution Forum, which promotes connections within the region and with European partners. At the CAF Pitching Forum, young filmmakers from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan presented their new projects. Themes such as migration, corruption and the tense relationship between tradition and modernity were explored in a variety of cinematic forms, from contemplative arthouse to visually powerful film noir.
Bernd Buder, Programme Director of the FFC, was on site as a jury member in the Central Asia competition:
"I am very pleased about the numerous encounters with an exciting film scene that is visibly on the move. The cooperation with the Bishkek International Film Festival opens up new perspectives - also for the upcoming FFC programme."