CHOLPON-ATA, July 20. /Dunyo IA/.  Yesterday, “Rukh Ordo” Cultural Center in Cholpon-Ata hosted the solemn closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of the SCO Member States, which took place on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul from July 16^th to 19^th, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the “Kabar” Kyrgyz National News Agency, the film festival brought together representatives of the cinematographic industry from eight member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, including directors, actors, screenwriters, producers and film critics. The event featured competitive film screenings, professional panel discussions, and meetings dedicated to advancing international cooperation in the field of cinema.

Following the competition program, the international jury determined the winners in the primary categories:

Best Director – Lan Hongchun (China), for the film “Dear You”;

Best Screenplay – Azat Khakimov (Kazakhstan), for the film “Autumn Breeze”;

Best Cinematography – Sergey Astakhov (Russian Federation), for the film “Angels of Ladoga”;

Best Editing – Olga Reshetnikova (Belarus), for the film “One for Two”;

Best Original Score – Kasym Muinzoda, for the film “The Great Amir and Donna Maria”;

Best Actor – Lead Actor of the film “Fish on a Hook” (Co-production of Tajikistan and Iran);

Best Actress – Shabnam Ghorbani (Iran), for the film “The Player”.

Grand prize, an exclusive statuette in the form of a golden crane, was awarded to the Kyrgyz film “Black, Red, Yellow” (directed by Aktan Arym Kubat) and produced by the “Kyrgyzfilm” film studio.

Prior to presenting the top accolade, the Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan, Mirbek Mambetaliev, noted that hosting the inaugural International Film Festival of the SCO Member States has become a milestone event for multilateral cultural cooperation.

“During these days, we have witnessed vibrant, talented and profound films, discovered new names, exchanged professional expertise, and were once again convinced that the language of cinema knows no borders. It unites people of diverse cultures, traditions, and worldviews, helping us to understand each other better”, - Minister stated.

He expressed his gratitude to the participating states of the festival, the members of the international jury, directors, producers, actors, and organizers for their contribution to the execution of the event.

Grand Prix winner, Aktan Arym Kubat, emphasized that contemporary film festivals should serve not only as venues for presenting awards but also as spaces for generating new international projects.

According to him, a vital role can be played by project pitching’s, producers' meetings and targeted mechanisms designed to support co-production in cinema.