The International Film Festival "Baku Cinema Breeze" (BCB), organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and supported by the Cinema Agency (ARKA), began with the opening ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Center on October 2. The festival, which is organized within the framework of the "Creative Azerbaijan" project, is aimed at the development of the audiovisual industry.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials, film figures of Azerbaijan and a number of countries, other guests, and film lovers.
In his speech, Deputy Minister of Culture Murad Huseynov said that the purpose of the festival is to promote Azerbaijan as the center of the film industry in the region and to develop film culture.
Kayrat Mukanov, Advisor to the Secretary General of TURKSOY, noted the significant progress in the film industry of Azerbaijan. He mentioned that such events would help to create a platform for the exchange of filmmakers influencing the market, in addition to supporting joint projects.
Rashad Azizov, Head of the Department of Creative Industries and Digital Development of the Ministry of Culture, emphasized that the festival will accelerate progress in the film industry and encourage cooperation among related companies.
At the opening ceremony, the directors of the film festivals participating in the "Baku Cinema Breeze" festival, namely Imam Hasanov (DokuBaku), Rashid Aghamaliyev (ANIMAFILM), Oktay Iyusibov (Turkic World International Animation Festival—ATA), and Fehruz Shamiyev (Baku International Film Festival—BIFF), expressed their opinions on the significance of the event, noting that it provides a new arena for integration into the world cinema. At the event, a plaque with the inscription "Baku Cinema Breeze" was signed to commemorate this special day.
As part of the event, ARKA's "For the Green World" film award was presented. Saadat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture, presented the award to cinematographer Mojitaba Bahaduri for his work "On Melting Snow" and its impact on the global climate agenda. Masud Panahi from Azerbaijan, Mazur Mahmudov from Uzbekistan, Salimgali Mirzashev from Kazakhstan, Kanybek Omurbekov from Kyrgyzstan, Mojek Charyyev from Turkmenistan, Berat Ilk from Turkey, and Elchin Akhundov, who were awarded "for their contribution to the development of the animated film industry" at the event, thanked the organizers and all those who did not forget their contributions.
Yevgeny Simbal, a distinguished documentary film director and screenwriter of the former USSR and Russia, is among the laureates. He received the award for his contribution to the development of documentary films.
Starting from October 3, "Omarket" (cinema market of Eastern countries) will be organized for the first time in the Heydar Aliyev Center as part of the festival.