Years of activity: 1996-2009

The “East-West” Baku International Film Festival was established in 1996 by the 100th Anniversary of World Cinema Foundation and the Azerbaijan Cinematographers Union with the support of the Confederation of Cinematographers Unions of the CIS and Baltic States. The Baku International Film Festival, previously called the “Festival of Festivals”, has been called “East-West” since 1999 in accordance with its concept of activity. By the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 23.10.2001, the festival gained traditional status. Since “East-West” has the status of a festival of festivals, only screen works that have achieved success at other festivals have participated in it.

The president of the festival was Rustam Ibrahimbeyov, and the general director was Abbas Aliyev.

The last of the festival – the XI East-West Baku International Film Festival was held in 2009.

I EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (I FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS) (1996)

Held on October 23-27, 1996.

A round table on the topic “Post-Soviet Space: Cinematography and Life” was held within the framework of the festival.

II EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (II FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS) (1998)

Held on May 2-8, 1998.

The festival program included a round table on the topic “Love Triangle: Today and Tomorrow”.

Awards:

The best image that glorifies the symbol of femininity: Alla Klyuka

The best image that glorifies the symbol of masculinity: Rain Simmul

The most humane message to humanity: Andrey Khrzhanovsky

For services to world cinema: actress Maya Aymedova

III EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (1999)

Held on October 8-14, 1999. Starting from 1999, by the decision of the founders, the “Festival of Festivals” was renamed “East-West”.

Round tables on the themes “Azerbaijani Cinema: The Last Ten Years” and “Cinema in the Context of Culture” were held within the framework of the festival.

In addition to the 10 films included in the main program, the American Film Foundation’s “Freedom” festival and NTV-profit presented 4 films separately. In addition, the festival screened 6 full-length, 4 short and 2 animated films by Azerbaijani filmmakers.

Awards:

The best image celebrating the symbol of femininity: Fatma Ibrahimbeyova

The best image celebrating the symbol of masculinity: Mikhail Ulyanov

The most humane message to humanity: Yana's Friends (director Arik Kaplun)

For their services to world cinema: actress Turkan Shoray, director Emil Lotyanu

IV EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2000)

Held on December 18-25, 2000.

A round table on the topic "East-West" and the problems of the modern film process" was held within the framework of the festival.

"The beginning of national cinema. The retrospective section entitled “A Look Back at 2000” showcased films reflecting the period when Russian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, and other filmmakers took their first steps in this field. The “Freedom” festival, organized by the American Film Foundation, was held to promote films produced in Eastern Europe and Eurasia on Western screens.

Awards:

The best image praising the symbol of femininity: Natalya Gundaryova

The most humane message to humanity: The East is the East (D.O. Donnel)

For services to world cinema: director Georgi Danelia

For special services to cinema: actress Lidiya Smirnova

For the development of Azerbaijani culture and art: Ilgar Karimov, representative of “Philip Morris Management Services B.V. Azerbaijan” Company

V EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2002)

Held on October 11-18, 2002.

Extra-program Retrospective - films produced in Kazakhstan in the 90s were shown. Also, films that received awards from the All-Russian Academy of Cinematography "Nika" were shown within the framework of the festival. The events held within the festival included round tables, a memorial evening for the classic of Soviet cinema Nikolai Shengelayan (Russia), a creative evening for film actor and television director Tofig Mirzayev (Azerbaijan). Round tables were held on the topics "New Reality. Cinematography after September 11, 2001", "Challenges of the Global World and Stereotypes of National Self-Awareness", "Gender Politics in European Countries: The Witness of Documentary Cinema".

VI EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2004)

Held on May 15-19, 2004 with the participation of 10 films from 7 countries.
On the opening day of the festival, the short documentary film “Oil” (directed by Murad Ibrahimbeyov, Russia) and the full-length feature film “Melody of Space” by director Huseyn Mehdiyev, who was not part of the program, were screened. For younger viewers, the feature film “The Joy and Sorrow of the Little Lord” by director Ivan Popov was shown. There was also a retrospective of Ajdar Ibrahimov’s films and his film “My Love, My Sorrow” was shown. A round table discussion was held within the framework of the festival on the topic “Challenges of the Global World: National Cinematography at the Beginning of the 21st Century”.
Awards:
The best image that glorifies the symbol of femininity: Ayan Yesmagambetova (Leyla's Prayer, Satybaldi Narymbetov, Uzbekistan, 2002)
The best image that glorifies the symbol of masculinity: Alexander Abdulov (About Love, Sergey Solovyov, Russia, 2003)
The most humane message to humanity: Stanislav Govorukhin (Bless the Woman, Stanislav Govorukhin, Russia, 2003)
For services to world cinema: Sergey Solovyov (About Love, Sergey Solovyov, Russia, 2003)
For services to the development of Azerbaijani cinema: actor Alexander Kalyagin (Russia)
For unique female images created by actress Lyudmila Zaytseva (Russia)

VII EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2005)

October 2-8 Held in 2005. A seminar on “Producing low-budget films for European distribution” was held within the framework of the festival.
Awards:
The best image celebrating the symbol of masculinity: Georgi Maskharashvili (Tbilisi, Tbilisi)
The best image celebrating the symbol of femininity: Mehriban Zaki (I Sprinkled Water on the Streets, Azerbaijan)
The most humane message to humanity: Gulandom Mukhabbatov, Daler Rahmatov (Azmish)
For their services to Eurasian cinema: director Pavel Lungin, director Sharunas Bartas

VIII EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2006)

Held on September 4-9, 2006. As part of the festival, a retrospective of Rasim Ojagov's films, round tables on "Legal and organizational problems of joint film production in the CIS and Baltic countries", "Modern Azerbaijani documentary cinema" were held.
Awards:
The best image celebrating the symbol of masculinity: Timur Badalbeyli (Alvida, southern city, Azerbaijan)
The best image celebrating the symbol of femininity: Rano Shodiyeva (Vatan, Uzbekistan)
For services to Eurasian cinema: director Valery Rubinchik (Russia)
The most humane message to humanity: director Artyom Antonov (Alatoran, Russia)

IX EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2007)

Held on September 5-10, 2007. Within the framework of the festival, a round table on the topic "National Cinema - the Way to the Big Screen", a retrospective of Georgian films, and the International Children's Film Festival were held.
Awards:
For contributions to the development of cinematography in Eurasia: Pavel Chukhray (Russia), Khojagulu Narliyev (Turkmenistan)
The most humane message to humanity: Janabey Jetiurova (Notes of a Roadside Patrolman, Kazakhstan)
The best image celebrating the symbol of masculinity: Georgi Nakashidze (Cemetery of Dreams, Georgia)
The best image celebrating the symbol of femininity: Kseniya Kupetova (Travel with Pets, Russia)
For audience appreciation: Turan Özdemir (Ice Cream, Turkey)
For a deep philosophical understanding of life: Majid Majidi (Majnun Soyud, Iran)
For a promising debut on the big screen: Mehriban Alakbarzadeh (Prisoners, Azerbaijan)
For a highly artistic embodiment of modern human problems: Bruno Dumont (Flanders, France)
For the poet's fate on the screen for the embodiment: Ramiz Hasanoglu (Javid Omri, Azerbaijan)
Maintaining an artistic position: Larisa Sadilova (Nothing Personal, Russia)
Deep understanding of the complexity of simple things: Alexey Popogrebsky (Simple things, Russia)
Embodiment of feelings of beauty and hope on the screen: actress Marina Policheymako (Chayda, Ukraine)

X EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2008)

Held on June 1-7, 2008. A round table on the topic “National cinematography and film distribution: problems and prospects” was held within the framework of the festival. A retrospective of the famous Polish film director Krzysztof Zanussi was organized at the festival.
Awards:
Best image praising the symbol of masculinity: Fakhraddin Manafov (The Fate of the Ruler, Azerbaijan)
Best image praising the symbol of femininity: Asema Toktobekova (Light Coolness, Kyrgyzstan)
Most humane message to humanity: Puran Drakhshende (Eternal Children, Iran)
For contributions to the development of world cinema: Krzysztof Zanussi (Poland)
Best debut film: Igor Kalyonov (The Battle of Alexander Nevsky, Russia)

XI EAST-WEST BAKU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2009)

Held on September 18-23, 2009. In connection with the declaration of Baku as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2009, the festival included a panorama of films produced in Muslim countries. In addition, the festival traditionally presented a panorama of screen works produced in Eurasian countries and participating in international festivals. The festival's highlight was a retrospective of the films of the famous Czech cinematographer, Golden Globe winner, screenwriter and producer Jan Sverak. A round table on the topic of "Muslim mysticism and its influence on world culture" was held within the framework of the festival.
Awards:
"The brightest debut": The 40th Gate (Elchin Musaoglu)