The 126th anniversary of cinema in Azerbaijan was celebrated on August 2. This important date dates back to August 2, 1898, when the first films were publicly screened in Baku.
According to the order signed by the national leader Heydar Aliyev on December 18, 2000, August 2 was declared the "National Cinema Day" of Azerbaijan.
On this remarkable day, a solemn event took place at the Nizami Cinema Center under the organization of the Ministry of Culture. At the event, attended by ministry officials, cultural figures, representatives of the film community, and film lovers, guests first explored the history of our cinema through an exhibition at the Nizami Cinema Center.
At the event, which continued in the hall of the Center, the names of the filmmakers awarded by the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated August 1, 2024 were announced and congratulations were extended.
In her opening speech, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova noted that Azerbaijani cinema, which is celebrating its 126th anniversary, has developed significantly in parallel with world cinema. Over the years, it has experienced various ups and downs and undergone many changes. However, it has always remained faithful to its national traditions, high moral values and love for art: "The development of modern Azerbaijani cinema is closely associated with the national leader Heydar Aliyev. The 1970s are considered the golden era of Azerbaijani cinema. Thanks to the research carried out with the support of Heydar Aliyev, the true age of the history of our cinema was determined and the date of the release of the first film "The Oil Fire in Balakhany", i.e. August 2, 1898, was declared as the Cinema Day. For the past 24 years, by the order of the head of state Heydar Aliyev, August 2 has been celebrated as a professional holiday of cinema workers, known as "National Cinema Day".
The deputy minister emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev, as the successor of this heritage, consistently supports our cinema art. The adoption of the “State Program on the Development of Azerbaijani Cinema for 2008-2018”, the enhancement of the material and technical base of film studios, the construction of a modern building for the Azerbaijan State Film Fund established in 1993, the creation of a Cinema Agency under the Ministry of Culture, and the annual allocation of funds from the President's reserve fund to support state-ordered films and young filmmakers' creativity are clear examples of state support for cinema. Over the past 20 years, more than 100 million funds have been allocated to the development of Azerbaijani cinema, resulting in the production of 1763 art, documentary, animation, and other films.
Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan (AKI), People's artist Rasim Balayev and people's artist and film director Ogtay Mirgasimov expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in the development of cinematography in our country and wished the filmmakers success.
Orkhan Fikratoghlu, the Acting Director of the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, spoke about the activities of the organization.
After the speeches, video materials highlighting ARKA's activities and a compilation of jubilarian films were presented. The actors who starred in the jubilarian films spoke and shared their sincere feelings.
Music from the films was performed by People's artists Gulyanag Mammadova and Gulyaz Mammadova, Honored artist Ramil Gasimov, soloists Miralam Miralamov and Elgun Huseynov, as well as the dance ensemble "Mirvari" and the young actors of The Independent Children's Theater "Oyug."
Following that, the winners were presented with the traditional AKI Award in various nominations.
In the evening, the winners of the short feature film script competition "People of the Rear Front," organized by AKI, were announced and awarded.
The Ministry of Culture awarded a group of film workers for their contribution to Azerbaijani culture.
The event concluded with the screening of the short film "Monologue of a Lonely Man."
Directed and written by Emin Efendiyev, the film featured camerawork by Daniel Guliyev and was produced by Sarvar Bayramov. The lead actors were Mahir Dervish and Elshan Asgarov.
