Regulations to the 17th Eurasia International Film Festival
1. General Provisions
1.1. These Rules for the organization and conduct of the 17th International Film Festival "Eurasia" (hereinafter – Rules) define the procedure for organizing the 17th International Film Festival "Eurasia" (hereinafter – the Film Festival).
1.2. The founder of the Film Festival is the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – the Ministry).
2. Goals and Objectives of the Film Festival
2.1. The goal of the Film Festival is the development of Kazakhstani cinema as both an art and an industry, increasing public interest in cinematic art, and strengthening international cooperation.
2.2. The objectives of the Film Festival are:
2.2.1. Strengthening and developing international ties in the field of cinema, with special attention to potential partners for co-production and distribution of Kazakhstani films: countries of Europe, Asia, America, Central Asia, and the CIS;
2.2.2. Positioning the Film Festival as a unique cultural and cinematic bridge between Europe and Asia;
2.2.3. Presenting and promoting the best film projects and achievements of Kazakhstani cinema;
2.2.4. Developing cooperation with the international cinematic community;
2.2.5. Establishing and promoting business relations between producers, investors, and distributors from European and Asian countries;
2.2.6. Promoting Kazakhstani films at other international film festivals, including Category "A" festivals;
2.2.7. Fostering interest and patriotism for domestic cinema among Kazakhstani audiences;
2.2.8. Distributing information about the cultural and cinematographic life of Kazakhstan to domestic and foreign media.
2.3. The Film Festival is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a specialized competitive festival.
2.4. The film festival will take place from November 24 to 30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
2.5. The official languages of the Film Festival are Kazakh, Russian, and English.
3. Procedure for Conducting the Film Festival
3.1. The Film Festival program includes the following events:
3.1.2. The opening ceremony of the Film Festival;
3.1.3. Film screenings at multiplex cinemas in Almaty;
3.1.4. A business platform (roundtables, panel discussions, workshops);
3.1.5. The closing ceremony of the Film Festival.
3.2. The organization, preparation, and conduct of the Film Festival are managed by the joint-stock company "National Film Studio 'Kazakhfilm' named after Shaken Aymanov" (hereinafter – the Organizer).
3.3. Film organizations and filmmakers from any country, without territorial restrictions, are invited to participate in the Film Festival.
3.4. The Film Festival programs are:
3.4.1. International Competition Program – at least 10 (ten) feature films produced in 2023-2024 from Asia and Europe, with a runtime of at least 70 minutes;
3.4.2. Competition Program of Central Asian and Turkic Countries – at least 8 (eight) feature films produced in 2023-2024 from Central Asia and Turkic countries, with a runtime of at least 70 minutes;
3.4.3. Non-competitive program "Special Event", presenting a retrospective of films by world cinema masters of different eras and genres, including anniversary films, opening and closing films of the Festival – at least 3 (three) films;
3.4.4. Non-competitive program "World Panorama" – screenings of award-winning films from major international film festivals of 2023-2024 – at least 3 (three) films;
3.4.5. Non-competitive program "Eurasia KZ" – screening of the best new Kazakhstani films – at least 3 (three) films;
3.4.6. Eurasia Industry Program – a business platform for master classes, creative meetings, panel discussions, and roundtables;
3.5. The total number of films participating in the Film Festival's cinematic programs is at least 30 (thirty);
3.6. The number of films in the non-competitive programs of the Film Festival is determined by the program department according to the goals and objectives of each non-competitive program.
3.7. Those wishing to submit a film for participation in the Film Festival programs must complete the participant application form on the official website of the Film Festival by 18:00 on October 31, 2024.
3.8. Films in the competitive program of the Film Festival must be in DCP digital format with English subtitles. Copies of films accepted into the competitive program must be sent to the Organizer or uploaded to the server by November 15, 2024.
3.9. Films in other programs of the Film Festival may be in the following formats: DCP, MOV. Copies of films accepted for screening in other programs must be sent to the Organizer or uploaded to the server by November 15, 2024.
3.10. A film selected for one of the Film Festival's programs may not be withdrawn after the official confirmation of its participation.
3.11. Each film may be screened no more than twice during the Film Festival.
3.12. After being notified of their film's selection for the Film Festival programs, filmmakers must send confirmation of participation and the following documents to the Festival Directorate:
3.12.1. Subtitled script (dialogue list) in English in SRT format;
3.12.2. Necessary information and materials about the film, including poster, trailer, synopsis, crew details, 3-4 stills from the film, director’s photo, biography, and filmography.
3.13. The cost of digital delivery of film copies for both competitive and non-competitive programs is covered by the inviting party. The Film Festival reserves the right to share transportation costs for film copies with partner festivals. The inviting party will cover the rights for non-commercial screenings of films in the Festival programs.
3.14. Participation of feature films in the competitive program of the Film Festival requires at least one representative from the film (director, actor/actress, producer) to be present at the awards ceremony.
3.15. The dates and conditions for guest stays and accreditation at the Film Festival will be determined by the Organizer and specified in the personal invitations to guests.
4. Jury and Nominations
4.1. An international jury (hereinafter – the Jury) is created to evaluate competitive films, consisting of no fewer than 5 (five) members per competition section. The composition of the Jury is approved by the Organizer.
The Jury must not include individuals involved in the creation or commercial distribution of competitive films.
4.2. An independent international jury from the International Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) will also be present at the Festival, consisting of no fewer than 3 (three) people.
4.3. The Organizer covers travel expenses, accommodation, honorariums, and transport costs for the Jury members during their stay at the Festival.
4.4. The Jury awards prizes in the following nominations and presents "Eurasia" statuettes and cash rewards:
4.4.1. International Competition:
• Grand Prix for Best Film – 4,000,000 tenge (awarded to the film’s producer);
• Best Director Award – 2,000,000 tenge;
• Special Jury Prize – 1,500,000 tenge;
• Best Actor Award – 1,500,000 tenge;
• Best Actress Award – 1,500,000 tenge.
4.4.2. Competition of Central Asian and Turkic Countries:
• Grand Prix for Best Film – 4,000,000 tenge (awarded to the film’s producer);
• Best Director Award – 2,000,000 tenge;
• Special Jury Prize – 1,500,000 tenge;
• Best Actor Award – 1,500,000 tenge;
• Best Actress Award – 1,500,000 tenge.
4.4.3. Additional Prizes:
• Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Prize (named after Shaken Aymanov) – 1,000,000 tenge;
• Audience Award.
4.5. Procedure for the Payment of Cash Prizes
4.5.1. For residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan – prizes will be paid in tenge via transfer to a personal account within 10 (ten) banking days after the official closing ceremony of the Film Festival.
4.5.2. For non-residents – prizes will be paid in freely convertible currency via transfer to a personal account within 10 (ten) banking days after the official closing ceremony of the Film Festival.
4.5.3. In accordance with the tax legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, individual income tax on cash prizes for non-resident guests is calculated at a rate of 20% of the accrued income amount. Non-residents must provide a certificate of residency.
4.5.4. Cash prizes for residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan are subject to individual income tax at a source rate of 10%.
4.6–4.10. Jury and Awards Decisions
4.6. The Jury participates in the screenings and discussions of all competitive films.
4.7. The Jury makes decisions through an open voting process.
4.8. The decision to award prizes is formalized in a protocol signed by all Jury members.
4.9. The Jury’s decision is announced during the Film Festival’s closing ceremony. It is final and not subject to revision.
4.10. Public and other organizations, as well as sponsors, may establish their own prizes and awards for Film Festival participants. These must be coordinated with the Organizer by November 20, 2024.
