The VI Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) Film Festival took place in London from 24 to 28 May. The festival was held in conjunction with the eighth UK Romford Film Festival at Premier Cinemas Romford. This year’s festival attracted nearly 100 entries from 22 countries, including works by directors from Poland, the UK, Kyrgyzstan, Spain, Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan, China, Armenia, and Kuwait.
ECG Film Festival is the only platform for the promotion of Eurasian cinema in the UK.
The festival started on 24 May with the exhibition ‘Nomadic Narratives’ by Kyrgyz artists. The headliner of the exhibition was Dungan artist Rahima Arli, who created her works in London.
Literature and film went hand in hand as editor John Farndon presented new books by Gulsifat Shahidi (Tajikistan) and ‘Is It Necessary to Worship at NotreDame?’ by Alikhan Zhaksylyk (Kazakhstan). The book presentations were accompanied by speeches by ECG Vice Chairman Marat Ahmedjanov and Romford Film Festival founder Natalie Bays.
On 25 May, British audiences had the opportunity to enjoy an out-of-competition screening of films from Russia thanks to the collaboration with SIFFA film festival organiser Lubov Balagova-Kandur. The family comedy ‘Aul’s Challenge’, the war drama ‘Maria. Save Moscow”, the documentary about the famous poet Voznesensky “3723 Voznesensky”, and the love story unfolding in the film “Cherkes” in Jordan in 1900 – each film carried unique stories that captured the audience’s attention.
The award ceremony was held on 28 May:
Best Eurasian Feature Film
There and Back (Russia) | Oleg Asadulin
Best Eurasian Short Film
Happy Independence Day (Kazakhstan) | Camila Sagyntkan
Best Eurasian Documentary Film
Sailing Seven Seas (Russia-Kyrgyzstan) | Tatiana Borsh
Best Eurasian Screenplay in English
Live MYour Life (Austria) | Philipp Weiler
Best Eurasian Screenplay in Russian
The Godfather (Russia) | Claudia Bershadskaya, Zahar Khungureev
Additional Awards
Best Eurasian Cinematography
Gazelle (Iran) | Houshang Golmakani
Audience Choice Award
Sharaf Rashidov-the Inspirer for the Development of Mirzachul (Uzbekistan) | Shukhrat Khaitov
Honorary Achievement Certificate for Documentary Drama
Behtarin (Kuwait-Tajikistan) | Mohsen Rahimi
Honorary Achievement Certificate for Music Video
Natasha Hart MBE ‘ Angel’s Star’ (UK) | Tamara Egorova, Oliver Morris
Mirror (Armenia) | Romen Tsaturian
Certificate of Acknowledgement for recognition of exceptional efforts in advancing literature through the medium of cinema
3723 Voznesensky (Russia) | Valery Belov
Medals of appreciation from Marta Brassart, Chairperson of the Eurasian Creative Guild, were presented to artist Rahima Arli, young film director Timur Akhmedjanov, and musical duo Sherxon.
As part of the awards ceremony, the duo from Uzbekistan Sherxon and the director of the Kazakh Cultural Centre in London, Kamshat Kumysbai, performed.
The VI ECG Film Festival was attended by artists from Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, USA, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Austria, Uzbekistan and other countries. Not without stars, famous directors and producers Paul Brett, Kathy Tyson, Cammy Darweish, Meredith Brett, also enjoyed watching Eurasian cinema.
Guests of honour included the Mayor of Romford, Gerry O’Sullivan with MPs from the London Borough of Havering and representatives from the embassies of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, and Belarus.
ECG Film Festival guests also visited the Kyrgyz writer Kazat Akmatov Memorial in Romford, which is a beacon and a place of strength for all Central Asian artists living and visiting London.
