Kazakhstan's Film Critics Guild Aligns with FIPRESCI Organization
Kazakhstan's Film Critics Association Joins International Federation and Establishes Prestigious Award
The Kazakhstan's Association of Film Critics (KAFC) has made significant strides in promoting Kazakh cinema on the global stage. In 2014, the KAFC was established and, in an unspecified year, joined the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), a prestigious organisation that unites film critics and scholars worldwide.
The KAFC is a professional body dedicated to supporting and promoting Kazakh cinema through film criticism and cultural engagement. Notable members include Gulnara Abikeyeva, Sultan Usuvaliev, and Gulbara Tolomushova, who have played significant roles in shaping film discourse and supporting Kazakh filmmakers.
Gulnara Abikeyeva, a Kazakh film scholar and critic, is a prominent figure within the KAFC. She has been part of critics' juries at international film festivals in cities such as Anapa, Berlin, Wiesbaden, Karlovy Vary, Cottbus, Oberhausen, and others. Abikeyeva is also the author of several books on Kazakh and Central Asian cinema, and her writings have been published in various Kazakh and international press outlets, including the International Film Guide yearbook, FIPRESCI website, KinoKultura, and Cinemaya.
From 2005 to 2013, Abikeyeva served as the art director of the Eurasia International Film Festival in Almaty. Today, she holds the position of President of the KAFC.
Gulbara Tolomushova, a Kyrgyz film critic and journalist, is another influential member of the KAFC. She too has been granted FIPRESCI membership.
The KAFC's most notable achievement is the establishment of the Critics' Choice Film Award, an annual event that celebrates the best achievements in Kazakh cinema. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in Kazakh cinema, contributing to the development and international recognition of the national film industry.
By 2024, the membership of the KAFC grew to 26 members. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Critics' Choice Film Award has been presented nine times.
FIPRESCI aims to develop world cinema and protect the rights and interests of film experts. By joining FIPRESCI, the KAFC has gained a platform to showcase Kazakh cinema on the international stage and collaborate with other film critics and scholars from around the world.
The KAFC's activities and the Critics' Choice Film Award reflect ongoing efforts to cultivate a robust and distinctive film culture in Kazakhstan. These efforts are essential in sustaining national cinema, especially within post-Soviet film industries seeking cultural identity and global presence.
References: [1] Kazakhstan's Association of Film Critics (KAFC) [2] Gulnara Abikeyeva [3] Gulbara Tolomushova [4] FIPRESCI [5] Eurasia International Film Festival [6] Critics' Choice Film Award [7] Sultan Usuvaliev
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