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| (Image Source: The Pop Blog/Alternativa Film Project) |
The shortlist of the nominees for the inaugural edition of the Alternativa Film Awards has been officially unveiled and is available on its official webpage at alternativa.film. It represents an independent expert opinion and has been selected by the committee consisting of film critics and journalists, curators, and artistic and programming directors of film festivals from Central Asia and other Asian countries. This year, there were more than 350 submissions from 25 countries.
Gulnara Abikeyeva, a member of the film festival's Selection Committee, said, “Films that we selected are, to a certain extent, an alternative to those that are predominantly screened in the cinemas in Central Asia, an alternative to pure entertainment. Appealing to social issues, they inspire us to reflect, take a pause, and reconsider the existing reality. And that means that these are the films that transform our lives. We call this a social impact: on people, on society, on each of us. Human rights, the role of the individual in transforming reality, migration, gender equity, and civilization issues are the topics that are vividly reflected and illuminated in the chosen films. Are we satisfied with the selection? By all means, it resulted not only in the quantity, but in the quality of the submitted films, and thus reassured us in the importance and relevance of our Awards.”
For Alternativa Film Project head Liza Surganova, “We’re happy that within the first year of existence of the Alternativa Film Awards, we succeeded in сementing its international status, having received submissions from 25 countries. At the same time, we have maintained the focus on films from Central Asia, with more than half of the nominated feature films representing this region. We’re grateful to the members of the independent Selection Committee. Together, they watched more than 350 submitted films and chose works on different topics from various countries. They paid attention both to the already acclaimed filmmakers and to those who are at the beginning of their professional path. We’re looking forward to the decision of the International Jury who will define the winners of the Alternativa Film Awards inaugural edition.”
The Alternativa Film Awards is an alternative system of recognition that honors artistic merits, filmmaking potential, and work that amplifies the social impact of cinema, as well as more mainstream films with wide audience appeal. The winners will be chosen by the independent International Jury comprising of socially responsible film directors and producers from Asia and Europe as well as social activists, community leaders, and NGO (Non-Government Organization) representatives. Serving as Head of the Jury is critically-acclaimed and award-winning Filipino director and producer Brillante Mendoza, the first Filipino to receive the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival for his film Kinatay in 2009 and the only Filipino to receive France’s Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters). The organizing committee of the Alternativa Film Awards does not interfere in this process and does not participate in defining the nominees and laureates of the Awards.The total prize fund stands at $100,000 to be equally divided among the five festival winners so as not to establish hierarchy. Rather than the traditional Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor prizes, the ceremony will bestow awards for titles and talents exemplifying cultural, societal, and industry impact.
Evergreen awards include the Spotlight Award, which honors a film that shines a light on a topic or story under the public’s radar, and the Future Voices Award, given to a debutant filmmaker with the potential to contribute to changes in the film industry and society in general. Other distinctions include the Alter Award, which commemorates a film that addresses critical social issues (such as human rights, migration, war crimes, and the environment), and the Nativa Award, which designates a film that touches upon topics of national or cultural identity. The Short Award will be given to a short film produced exclusively in Central Asia and aims to support local talents in their pursuit of new paths.
