The V Eurasia International Film Festival was held for the first time not in Almaty, but in Astana – in 2008. It happened in connection with the first anniversary of the capital of Kazakhstan, which turned 10 years old. The festival that year was more focused on the film production of Central Asia. The international jury was headed by American producer Michael Fitzgerald.
In 2009, the festival was canceled due to the global economic crisis, which affected our republic as well.
In 2010, the festival returned to Almaty. The VI Eurasia International Film Festival was held from September 21 to 25. The international competition was again focused on films from Central Asia and the Turkic-speaking world. The jury was headed by American actor Billie Zayn. This year was marked by the appearance of a new program “Dynamic Kazakh Cinema”, thereby opening up prospects for young filmmakers. Also, for the first time, the jury of FIPRESCI (International Federation of Cinematographic Press) began working at Eurasia.
Winners:
Grand Prix for the best film – “Svet-Ake” (Kyrgyzstan), dir. Aktan Arym Kubat.
Prize for the best director's work – Pelin Esmer («From 10 to 11», Turkey).
Prize for the best female role – Dariya Gorshkaleva («Gastarbeiter», Russia).
Prize for the best male role – Andrey Merzlikin («Lost», Kazakhstan).
Special mention of the international jury – diploma “Discovery of a New Name” – Reseda Khadiullina for her role in the film “Bibinur” (Tatarstan).
FIPRESCI Jury Prize – “Svet-Ake” (Kyrgyzstan), dir. Aktan Arym Kubat.
NETPAC Jury Prize – “Hair” (Turkey), dir. Tayfun Pirselimoglu and “The 40th door” (Azerbaijan), dir. Elchin Musaoglu.
The diploma “Special Event” from the Directorate of the VI Eurasia International Film Festival was awarded to the Chinese film “Gulbike” directed by Ershat Yahfu, shot by the Kazakh diaspora of Xinjiang.
The prize of the Directorate of the VI Eurasia International Film Festival “For contribution to world cinema” was awarded to the famous Hollywood actor and director Kevin Costner.
