The III Bishkek International Film Festival was held from June 11 to 15, 2025. The event was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the renowned Kyrgyz film director Tolomush Okeev.
The festival program included:
– International Competition
– Central Asian Competition
– KyrgyzBox
– CAF Pitch
– Retrospective screenings dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Tolomush Okeev
– French-German Cinema Week
– Special Screenings
– Central Asian Film Distribution Forum
– Master Classes
The III Bishkek International Film Festival was the largest film event in the Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asia, annually bringing together leading film professionals — producers, directors, distributors, journalists, and representatives of cultural institutions from more than 30 countries. Thıs year, the festival welcomed over 150 international guests, including filmmakers, producers, and film experts from around the world.
Celebrating the Best: Award Winners of the III Bishkek International Film Festival
The winners of the festival’s three competition sections — International, Central Asian, and KyrgyzBox — were officially announced. The jury evaluated the films based on directing, acting, and artistic and visual achievement.
A special prize was also presented by FIPRESCI — the International Federation of Film Critics, a prestigious global organization uniting film critics and scholars from around the world.
Michele Placido Honored for Contribution to World Cinema
At the opening ceremony of the III Bishkek International Film Festival, legendary Italian actor, director, and screenwriter Michele Placido was presented with a special award for his outstanding contribution to global cinematic art. The statuette was handed to him by the Minister of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic.
International Competition Winners
Total Prize Fund: 1,500,000 KGS
– Grand Prix for Best Film — MA – Cry of Silence — The Maw Naing (500,000 KGS)
– Best Director — Sengedorj Janchivdorj — Silent City Driver (400,000 KGS)
– Best Cinematography — Deal at the Border — Bolsunbek Taalaibek uulu (300,000 KGS)
– Best Performance — Silent City Driver — Tuvshinbayar Amartuvshin (300,000 KGS)
Central Asian Competition Winners
Total Prize Fund: 1,500,000 KGS
– Grand Prix for Best Film — Mergen — Chyngyz Narynov (500,000 KGS)
– Best Director — Aruan Anartay — Joqtau (400,000 KGS)
– Best Performance — Yerlan Toleutay — Abel (300,000 KGS)
– Best Screenwriting — Dastan Madalbekov and Aizada Bekbalaeva — Burning (300,000 KGS)
KyrgyzBox Competition Winners
Total Prize Fund: 1,500,000 KGS
– Grand Prix for Best Film — My Love — Ruslan Akun, Aziza Khalbekova, Manas Khaldarov (500,000 KGS)
– Best Director — Ilgiz Kuvatbek and Shamilbek Bekbosun uulu — Shut Down (400,000 KGS)
– Best Performance — Dinara Bagyshpaeva — Ayash 4 (300,000 KGS)
– Best Cinematography — Nurbek Mambetisaev — Wrestler (300,000 KGS)
FIPRESCI Award
The FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film, awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics, went to Chyngyz Narynov for his film Mergen.
At the official closing ceremony of the Bishkek International Film Festival, FIPRESCI was formally presented with a Letter of Appreciation in recognition of its active engagement and invaluable contribution to the festival.
Jury Members:
Elena Rubashevska (Ukraine)
Rafael Grillo (Cuba)
Gulnara Abikeeva (Kazakhstan)
Jury Motivation:
“Masterfully combining cultural archetypes and modern cinematic language, this story unfolded through the prism of an unconventional hero enriched by a memorable variety of secondary characters, balancing between real and mystical dimensions.”
FIPRESCI remained the world’s largest and most prestigious federation of film critics. For a century, it had played a vital role in shaping global cinematic discourse and promoting auteur cinema worldwide.
Winners of CAF Pitch
CAF Pitching selected ten scripts in development from Central Asia to be presented and discussed during a dedicated industry panel that took place from June 11 to 15 as part of the III Bishkek International Film Festival.
This year, in addition to the main prize of 300,000 KGS, one project at CAF Pitching received a special award of $3,500 from the Red Sea Fund.
According to the decision of the jury, the winner of the Bishkek Film Festival 2025 CAF Pitch was Asyrandy (producer Maksat Lesbekov, director Sezim Adyranova) — Kyrgyzstan.
The winner of the special Red Sea Fund Award, in the amount of $3,500, was Memory Road (producer Marzhan Bekmaganbetova, director Laura Mukhieva) — Kazakhstan.
The Special Mention Prize was awarded to Mahabat (producer Suium Sulaimanova, director Tynystan Temirzhan) — Kyrgyzstan.
Special guests
Among the honored guests of the III Bishkek International Film Festival were renowned figures of world cinema:
Michele Placido — the legendary Italian actor and director, best known for his iconic role as Commissioner Cattani in the cult TV series La Piovra (The Octopus), as well as for his participation in dozens of auteur and commercial films.
Shinnosuke Abe — an outstanding Japanese actor and producer, known for his role in the series Shōgun and for his work in a number of major Japanese and international projects. He is a recipient of prestigious film awards and a regular participant in leading film festivals around the world.
Dominic West — a British actor acclaimed for his performances in The Wire, The Crown, 300, and The Affair. His talent has been widely recognized by both critics and audiences worldwide.
Sergey Bodrov — a Russian director, screenwriter, and producer, nominated for an Academy Award for his films Prisoner of the Mountains and Mongol. He is the author of several internationally acclaimed projects and has successfully worked across various countries and genres.
Andrzej Bartkowiak — a Polish-American cinematographer and film director, best known for his work on classic films such as The Devil’s Advocate and for directing hit action movies of the early 2000s, including Romeo Must Die and Cradle 2 the Grave.
Bibi Naceri — a distinguished French actor, screenwriter, and producer of Algerian descent, best known as the co-writer and lead actor of the cult action film District B13 (Banlieue 13). He has taken part in numerous acclaimed French and international projects and is widely recognized for his charismatic performances and creative vision.