Today, the 17th Eurasia International Film Festival concluded in Almaty, marking the premier cinematic event in Central Asia, which brought together filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from across the globe. Throughout the week, audiences had the opportunity to view more than 30 films, 22 of which participated in the competition programs, while the festival platform became a space for dialogue, creativity, and reflection.

The Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, Aida Balayeva, extended her congratulations to the participants and guests in a special address. Her speech was read by Rustam Ali, Chairman of the Committee for Archives, Documentation, and Publishing Affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan.

WINNERS OF THE 17TH EURASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: 

• NETPAC Jury Prize: To A Land Unknown, directed by Mahdi Fleifel.
• Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Chairman of the International Competition Jury, awarded for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema.
• Doskhan Zholzhaksynov, renowned Kazakh actor, awarded for Outstanding Contribution to Kazakh Cinema.
• The diploma “Special Jury Mention” - film Tul (“Тұл”), Kazakhstan, directed by Sharipa Orazbayeva

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 

• Best Actress: Florentina Holzinger, Moon (Austria).
• Best Actor: Artur Paczesny, Next to Nothing (Poland).
• Special Jury Prize: Nirvana, directed by Asif Islam (Bangladesh).
• Best Director: Jung Min Oh, House of the Seasons (South Korea).
• Grand Prix for Best Film: Next to Nothing, directed by Grzegorz Debowski (Poland).

CENTRAL ASIA AND TURKIC WORLD COMPETITION 

• Best Actress: Elza Karimova, The Lovers’ Mountain (Tatarstan).
• Best Actor: Abylay Marat, Deal at the Border (Kyrgyzstan).
• Special Jury Prize: One of Those Days When Hemme Dies (Turkey).
• Best Director: Aruan Anartai, Joqtau (Kazakhstan).
• Grand Prix for Best Film: Where the White Cranes Dance, directed by Alexander Zolotukhin (Republic of Sakha, Russia).

The grand closing ceremony featured performances by the ethno-fusion group KhazaR, the Aljazz pop-symphonic orchestra, and the VIVAT show ballet, which provided a spectacular finale to the week of cinematic celebration.

The festival is founded and traditionally organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the Kazakhfilm Studio named after Shaken Aimanov entrusted with the direct organization of the event, with the support of the Almaty City Akimat.

General partner: BAZIS-A company.

The sponsors include KAZ Minerals group, Sarens Kazakhstan, Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), Salem Entertainment, the Kinopark Theatres cinema chain, Astana Motors, Kazakhtelecom JSC, and A-Event KZ.

Media Partners: "Khabar" JSC, Qazaqstan TV Channel, NTK TV Channel, Europa Plus Kazakhstan, Eldoradio, Qazaq Gazetteri, Egemen Qazaqstan, Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, Antenna Kazakhstan, New Generation, ORDA, Kazinform International News Agency, Arbat Media, El.kz, Baq.kz, BaigeNews.