Bastau Int'l Film Festival kicks off in Almaty

The solemn opening of the XI International Student and Debut Films Festival Bastau (The Beginning) took place on December 12 at the Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Kazinform News Agency cites the festival’s press service.

President of the International Student and Debut Films Festival Sergey Azimov, general consul of France in  Almaty Fabrice Neveu, acting rector of the Zhurgenev Kazakh National Academy of Arts Shygys Yergobek, people’s artist Assanali Ashimov, and others attended the solemn ceremony.

Zalozhniki voiny (Hostages of the war) directed by Yeldar Kaparov unveiled the festival. It depicts the true story of Japan’s national Tetsuro Ahiko taken prisoner after WWII.

Over 70 films will be screened between December 12 and 16. Various masterclasses and presentations will be held as part of the festival.

The festival is organized by the Tanaris Production and A-Team film companies with the support of the Almaty akimat and the Kazakh Culture and Information Ministry.