The 5th Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World was held early in October in the Kazakh city of Aktau, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025.
Organized under the coordination of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, the festival was also supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). The festival is named after the wise Dede Korkut, who holds an important place in the shared memory of the Turkic World.
The festival was aimed at the preservation and transmission of the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic World to future generations through the art of cinema. It gathered nearly 200 producers, directors, screenwriters, actors, and industry representatives and featured film screenings, cultural tours, and various meetings.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev emphasized the role of cinema in the Turkic World in terms of the preservation of shared values.
Secretary General Raev noted that the festival has now become a tradition in its fifth year and outlined its goals: to increase co-productions in the Turkic world and facilitate film distribution, establish sustainable collaborations for young filmmakers through joint workshops and funding mechanisms, and create space for bold projects that deepen the narrative universe of Turkic cinema.
Raev concluded his remarks by pointing out that the crane, the symbol of the festival, represents unity and loyalty: “I wholeheartedly believe that the voice of cinema rising from Aktau will build new bridges in the Turkic world and lead to joint productions.”
The festival also featured the Cinema Summit of the Turkic World held with the participation of cinema directors from TURKSOY member countries.
At the summit, the host Kazakfilm and relevant institutions from TURKSOY member countries in the field of cinema signed memoranda of understanding aimed at the deepening of mutual cooperation carried out under the auspices of TURKSOY as well as at the promotion of common values and historical heritage through the art of cinema.
The memoranda further aim at framework cooperation activities in areas such as the promotion of co-productions, training programs, workshops and seminars, translation and dubbing, the sharing of expertise, experience and technology, joint cinema projects, distribution and participation in international festivals.
Turkish cinema was represented across a wide spectrum at the festival. Among the festival’s guests of honor was the renowned Turkish actor Burak Özçivit, who also enjoys strong popularity in Kazakhstan.
Another guest of the festival was Marat Akhmedjanov, British publisher and Vice-Chairman of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). He introduced the Eurasian Creative Guild as a platform uniting artists, writers, and directors from Europe and Asia.
