On 24-28 May, the 6th ECG Film Festival will be held at Premier Cinemas Romford in the UK. This festival is proudly joining forces with the renowned Romford Film Festival for the 6th consecutive year, promising a diverse and captivating lineup of films.

Founded by the Eurasia Creative Guild. Serving as a cultural bridge between Eurasia and the British audience, this event aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of cinematic and artistic expressions from the region.

With approximately 100 submissions from 22 different countries, the festival has curated a selection of compelling movies from Spain, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, UK, Iran, Uzbekistan, Russia, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Jordan, Tajikistan, Armenia and China. It's a truly international showcase of cinematic talent!

In addition to the competition lineup, there will be a special non-competitive program organised. Some films will be thought-provoking, others will make the whole family smile, and others will be informative and educational.

Icon directed by Vera Storozheva (drama)
Aul Challenge directed by Islam Satyrov (family comedy)
3723 Voznesensky directed by Valery Belov (documentary)
Cherkess directed by Mohydeen Quandour (drama)

And mark your calendars for the grand opening ceremony on 24th May at 2.00 pm, where we will unveil an exhibition of Central Asian artists, including headliner Rahima Makhmut from Kyrgyzstan.

In continuation of the opening of the festival, the book by Gulsifat Shahidi, a writer from Tajikistan, will be presented.

After the audience enjoys the films of the film festival an award ceremony awaits them.

The excitement doesn't stop there! Save the date for the awards ceremony on 28th May at 7.00pm, where the winners from both festivals will be celebrated. ECG will present awards for Best Eurasian Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, and Best Screenplay.

Let's not forget to express our heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed members of our jury. Their expertise, dedication, and discerning taste have been instrumental in shaping the festival's lineup and recognizing the outstanding talent showcased. We extend our sincerest thanks for their invaluable contribution to the VI ECG Film Festival, and we look forward to celebrating their collective wisdom during the awards ceremony. Thank you, jury members, for your unwavering commitment to the art of cinema!

From 24-28 May, British audiences will immerse themselves in the world of Eurasian cinema, discover new perspectives and celebrate the art of storytelling at the ECG Film Festival (http://eurasianfilmfestival.uk) . The opportunity to unite different cultures through the art of cinema is truly something special.

The VI 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 film festival attracted nearly 100 entries from 22 countries.

The London Film Festival will showcase 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.

24 May It all started with the exhibition ‘Nomadic Narratives’ by Kyrgyz artists. The headliner of the exhibition was Dungan artist Rahima Arli, who created her works right in London during her ECG Horizons Rugby residency.

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). by Alikhan Zhaksylyk (Kazakhstan). The book presentations were accompanied by speeches by ECG Vice Chairman Marat Ahmedjanov and Romford Film Festival founder Natalie Bays.

At the event, renowned Azerbaijani poet Sahib Mamedov read out his poems dedicated to the festival participants.

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.

An 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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
For recognition of exceptional efforts in advancing literature through the medium of cinema
3723 Voznesensky (Russia) | Valery Belov

Medals of appreciation from Marta Brassart, Chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild, were presented to artist Rahima Arli, young film director Timur Akhmedjanov and musical duo Sherkhon.
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.

The event also included a music concert and a masterclass in mask and costume making for film, as well as an exhibition of books from Hertfordshire Press.

ECG Film Festival guests also visited the Kazat Akmatov Memorial in Romford, which is a beacon and a place of strength for all Central Asian artists living and visiting London.