International activity of Kazakh Cinema

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The ways of cooperation with foreign partners and promotion of national films abroad - issues we touched upon in an interview with the Head of the International Division of Kazakh Cinema Saule Tokkozhina, Delovoy Kazakhstan reports.

 pixabay.com

- With the adoption of the Law “On Cinema” and establishment of Kazakh Cinema as a single operator in film industry, the national film community pays close attention to its activities. Tell us more about the main vectors and the challenges you are currently facing.  

- Indeed, the Law “On Cinema” became a landmark and was truly long-awaited by Kazakh film community. The launch of Kazakh Сinema was definitely timely and relevant. Our main responsibility - the implementation of the Law. In general, it can be divided into two main areas – support for national cinema and its promotion worldwide. 

Despite all difficulties and problems, national cinema is reaching a new level of the development. Historical films as well as films reflecting modern challenges are being intensively and successfully shot. These achievements for Kazakh society cannot be overestimated. At the same time, it’s vital to present national films extensively to the international community. Such kind of promotion could lead to raising awareness of Kazakh film industry and attracting foreign investments to the country.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 pandemic, implementing these tasks became challenging, not to say impossible. Participation in film festivals, organizing and holding Kazakh cinema days abroad, attracting foreign investors were practically reduced to zero.   

- Certainly, COVID-19 pandemic has affected many branches of the economics, including film industry. Can you stipulate any outstanding accomplishments before the outbreak of the pandemic?

- Let us start by considering the facts. Along with informing international community about the state policy in film industry, our mission was to announce the launch of Kazakh Сinema.

June 2019, Kazakh Cinema took the lead in assembling Eurasia International Film Festival, which was a success. In the meantime, we signed several memorandums of cooperation and held a pitching session for joint film projects.

Furthermore, during Busan International Film Festival, Berlinale 2020, the VIII St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, “Cineposium” Professional Forum we demonstrated large-scale presentations about Kazakh film industry which were welcomed with enthusiasm. We established contacts with foreign partners and agreed on a number of joint film production. The results of this work we hope to see once the pandemic is over.

-What attracts world film community in Kazakhstan the most? And what exceptional offer could you suggest?

 

-Kazakhstan has launched cash rebates that offer producers savings of nearly a third of local spend when shooting in the country in order to support film producers worldwide and promote their interests by attracting investments to the national economy. 

The rebate is worth 30 percent of the local budgets of film, series, and other audiovisual projects.

Today we see significant interest from European film companies, Hollywood, and Bollywood. The Government initiated a wide range of tax preferences and safe filming environment to provide favorable investment climate.

Besides the economic aspects, foreign film producers are attracted to unique and diverse landscapes: the Charyn Canyon, the mysterious Ustyurt plateau, the Singing Barkhans, the Great Silk Road with its ancient cities and historical monuments.

July 2019, Kazakh Сinema organized a FAM-tour around Kazakhstan for executive producers from leading US film and TV companies such as NBS Universal, Lionsgate, Warner Horizon, Discovery, and Global Film Solutions. Absolutely impressed by the diversity of sceneries and the hospitality of Kazakh people, they’re considering the ways of future cooperation.                                                                  

-Could you list film companies ready to shoot and benefit from new norms of the Law? And do you intend to collaborate with the main international film organizations?

 

-Before the pandemic, we held negotiations with foreign film companies and as a result, we agreed upon potential film shoots in Kazakhstan with France, Russia, and China with the total investment of more than USD 6 million. The United States, New Zealand, and India expressed great interest too. However, due to global pandemic these projects were postponed for 2021-2022. 

We are fortunate to have first applications for rebates from major players based in France and Russia, who are currently shooting in Kazakhstan. So, we hope that the beauty of our country will steal the hearts of the audience around the world.

Moreover, Kazakh Сinema has joined the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) - a worldwide network of more than 360 film commissions from 40 countries.  Joining AFCI helps Kazakhstan to introduce its opportunities and remarkable advantages for filmmakers and establish strong connection with film commissions from around the world.

We are proud to be able to offer not just favorable conditions for filming, but more importantly - political and economic stability, which guarantee long-term and efficient cooperation. Perhaps we should also point out the fact that we can offer highly-professional film staff.

Reliable education plays a decisive role in the professional growth of the film industry. Organizing international programs for Kazakhstani filmmakers is an essential part in supporting them in the pursuit to achieve exceptional outcome. The latest technologies allow us to organize various kinds of online events involving international experts worldwide.

Together with Goethe Institute based in Kazakhstan we conducted a series of online master classes - “Working on a screenplay” and “Director’s editing strategies”. Besides, the round table “Kazakhstan-Ukraine: opportunities for cooperation”, organized jointly with Odessa International Film Festival; the workshop by Italian film producer Alessandra Pastore generated wide interest among filmmakers.

Besides, round tables such as “Development of an Animated Character”, “Animation Director – Imagine Everything”, “The Process of Creating a full-length animated film” were arranged in the framework of AMEN International Animation Films Festival which was also well received by participants from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.

 

Prepared by Albert Akhmetov

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