The fifth Burabay International Short Film Festival (BISFF) took place in Shchuchinsk from 12 to 14 August 2026. Founded by the British media holding Silk Road Media and curated by Eurasian Creative Guild (London), the festival brought together filmmakers and guests from more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. For the first time, the competition programme was held in a personal pitching format, with filmmakers and screenwriters presenting their projects directly to the international jury and audience.
The jury included film and cultural professionals from the United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Luis Francisco Martínez Montes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Kazakhstan, served as an honorary member of the jury. The festival programme also featured an art and craft exhibition organised by the local Art Burabay creative group, open-air film screenings, and a workshop by Festival Director Taina Kaunis. The Higher Pedagogical College of Shchuchinsk served as the main venue, while the Mycelium creative association was among the festival’s key local partners.
The Best Short Film award and a $6,000 promotion grant went to Hypatia of Alexandria — the Solitary Bee by French filmmaker Erwan Le Gal. The Best Screenplay award went to Kebam! by British screenwriter Judson Vaughan, who received a $10,000 production grant. Special awards and jury honourable mentions were also presented to projects by authors from Singapore, France, Palestine, Turkey, and Georgia.
