DUSHANBE, October 11, 2008, Asia-Plus — Movies from 13 countries across the world will be shown during the Third Tajikistan International Film Festival, Didor 2008, that will kick off in Dushanbe on October 12.
The main sponsors of the festival are the Tajik Branch of Open Society/Assistance Foundation (OSI/AF-Tajikistan) and Office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Tajikistan.
According to OSI/AF-Tajikistan, works by filmmakers from Central Asia’s states, Transcaucasia, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia, Germany and Turkey are presented in the festival that will last until October 16.
The festival works in several sections, including an international competition (12 full-length and short-length movies).
The festival program also includes a competition among Tajik movies (15 full-length and short length movies) made in 2006-2008.
An international jury includes well-known filmmakers, actors and critics.
According to the SDC Dushanbe Office, a total amount of grant awarded by SDC for the festival is US$15,000. The funds are intended for awarding the winners in sections of the full-length and eight short-length movies and the best Tajik movie as well as the special award of international jury.
Iran’s center for documentaries and experimental movie has instituted two awards in the Common Heritage section. The awards are provided to support young Tajik filmmakers.
Another prize is instituted by Tajikistan’s creative association, Borgohi Sukha, for the best Tajik movie of 2007-2008.
In the special section, Sympathy of the Press, the winner will be announced via journalists’ voting.
A DVD-collection by Kazakhstan’s filmmaker Gulnara Abikeyeva entitled “Documentary in Central Asia: Soviet Era and the First Years of Independence” as well as a book of poetries by Iranian poets of the 20th century entitled “Panj Sado” (Five Voices) will be presented on sidelines of the festival.
A parallel program includes demonstration of modern Afghan movies and a roundtable meeting, “East-West: Prospects of Partnership in Cinema,” as well as master classes for young Tajik cinematographers and TV journalists.
The festival’s program furthers the concept of the first two Didor festivals, which were intended to be a cultural bridge between eastern and western cultures and remove any critical attitudes of the West to the East and vice versa.
The first Didor festival was held in October 2004, and the second one was held in October 2006.
