Regulations to the XVII Eurasia International Film Festival
1. General Provisions
These rules define the procedure for organizing and conducting the XVII Eurasia International Film Festival (hereinafter referred to as "the Festival"). The Festival is established by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
2. Festival Goals and Objectives
The festival aims to develop Kazakh cinema as both an art and industry, to increase public interest in cinematic art, and to strengthen international cooperation. Its objectives include:
• Strengthening international relations in cinema, with a focus on co-production and distribution partnerships in Europe, Asia, the America, Central Asia, and CIS countries.
• Positioning the festival as a unique cultural and cinematic bridge between Europe and Asia.
• Presenting and promoting the best film projects and achievements of the Kazakh film industry.
• Promoting cooperation with the international film community.
• Establishing business connections between producers, investors, and distributors from Europe and Asia.
• Promoting Kazakh films at other international festivals, including A-list festivals.
• Fostering patriotism and interest in national films among Kazakh audiences.
• Sharing information about Kazakhstan's cultural and cinematic life with local and international media.
The festival is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a specialized competitive festival and will take place from November 24 to 30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The official languages are Kazakh, Russian, and English.
3. Festival Program
The festival program includes the following events:
• Opening Ceremony
• Gala Dinner (Opening)
• Film screenings in cinemas across Almaty
• Business platform (panel discussions, workshops)
• Closing Ceremony
• Gala Dinner (Closing)
• PROKK (Professional Club of Cinematographers) for organizing creative evenings and leisure activities for participants.
• Cultural program.
The festival is organized by the Shaken Aimanov National Film Studio Kazakhfilm JSC and welcomes films from all countries without territorial restrictions.
4. Festival Film Programs
1. International Competition: A minimum of 12 full-length feature films (2023-2024) from Asia and Europe with a runtime of at least 70 minutes.
2. Central Asia and Turkic World Competition: At least 9 full-length feature films (2023-2024) from Central Asia and Turkic-speaking countries with a runtime of at least 70 minutes.
3. Out-of-Competition Program "Special Event: East-West Cinematic Bridge": A retrospective of films by world cinema masters, anniversary films, and the festival’s opening and closing films. A minimum of 5 films.
4. Out-of-Competition Program "World Panorama": Screenings of award-winning films from major international film festivals (2023-2024), with at least 3 films.
5. Out-of-Competition Program "New Kazakh Cinema": Showcasing the best new Kazakh films in the National Showcase section, with at least 5 films.
6. Eurasia Industry Program: Business platform including at least two masterclasses, two creative meetings, and one panel discussion.
The total number of films participating in the festival programs must be at least 30.
The number of films participating in the festival's out-of-competition programs is determined by the festival's programming team in accordance with the goals and objectives of each out-of-competition program.
Those wishing to submit a film for participation in the Festival's programs must fill out the participant's application form on the official website of the Film Festival no later than October 31, 2024, by 6.00 p.m.
Films participating in the festival’s competition program must be submitted in digital format (DCP) with English subtitles. Copies of films accepted into the competition program must be sent to the Organizer or uploaded to the server no later than November 15, 2024.
Films for other festival programs can be submitted in the following formats: DCP, mov. Copies of films accepted for screening in other festival programs must be sent to the Organizer or uploaded to the server no later than November 15, 2024.
A film selected for one of the festival's programs cannot be withdrawn after the official confirmation of its participation.
Each film may be screened no more than twice during the festival.
After participants are notified of their film’s selection for the festival's programs, the filmmakers must send the following documents to the Festival Directorate:
1. A subtitled dialogue list (in srt format) in English;
2. Necessary information and materials about the film, including a poster, trailer, synopsis, crew information, 3-4 stills from the film, a photo of the director, and the director's biography and filmography.
The costs for the digital delivery of film copies for the competition and out-of-competition programs of the festival are covered by the inviting party. The festival reserves the right to share the costs of film copies delivery with partner film festivals. The inviting party is responsible for covering the non-commercial screening rights fees for participants in the festival’s programs.
Participation of feature films in the competition program of the festival requires the mandatory presence of at least one representative of the feature competition film (director, actor/actress, or producer) at the award ceremony.
The terms and conditions for guests' stay and accreditation at the festival are determined by the Organizer and specified in the personal invitations sent to the guests.
5. Jury and Nominations
The competition films will be evaluated by an international jury of no fewer than 5 members per competition section, appointed by the festival organizers. There will also be independent juries from NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) and FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) not less than 3 (three) persons each.
Members of the Jury cannot include individuals who participated in the creation or commercial distribution of the competing films.
Round-trip travel, accommodation, fees and transport expenses during the Jury members' stay are borne by the Organiser.
The jury determines the winners of prizes by nominations, awards prizes-statuettes ‘Eurasia’ and monetary rewards:
International Competition:
Grand Prix for Best Film (4,000,000 KZT) in the International Competition.
Best Director (2,000,000 KZT) in the International Competition.
Jury Special Prize (1,500,000 KZT).
Best Actor and Best Actress (1,500,000 KZT each).
Central Asia and Turkic World Competition
Grand Prix for Best Film (4,000,000 KZT) in the International Competition.
Best Director (2,000,000 KZT) in the International Competition.
Jury Special Prize (1,500,000 KZT).
Best Actor and Best Actress (1,500,000 KZT each).
Special awards include the Shaken Aimanov Prize for Outstanding Cinematic Contribution (1,000,000 KZT) and the Audience Award.
The procedure for payment of the prize money:
1) for residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan - in tenge by transfer to a personal account within 10 (ten) banking days after the official closing ceremony of the Film Festival;
2) for non-residents - in freely convertible currency by transfer to a personal account within 10 (ten) banking days after the official closing ceremony of the Film Festival;
In accordance with the tax legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the calculation of individual income tax from the cash prizes of non-resident guests is made by applying a rate of 20 per cent to the accrued amount of income. Non-residents must provide a certificate of residency.
Money prizes of residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan are subject to individual income tax at the source of payment at the rate of 10 per cent.
The Jury takes part in the screenings and discussions of all competition films;
The Jury shall take a decision by open voting.
The decision on awarding prizes shall be formalised in a protocol signed by all members of the Jury.
The decision of the Jury is announced at the closing ceremony of the Film Festival, is final and cannot be revised.
Public and other organisations, sponsors may establish their own prizes and awards to the participants of the Film Festival, which must be agreed with the Organiser by 20 November 2024.
6. Media Coverage
The festival press service will ensure wide coverage of the event in Kazakhstani and international media. It will manage festival materials, media partnerships, and the festival's website and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). Press conferences with competition participants, jury members, and guests will be organized.
The festival will produce daily video diaries to be broadcast on leading Kazakhstani television channels and social media. Additionally, the festival will collaborate with international media outlets and cover journalists' expenses to attend the festival in Almaty.
By the end of the festival, the organizers aim to publish at least 30 articles and broadcast at least 5 television reports.
