AWARDS OF THE AZERBAIJAN FILM CRITICISTS AND FILM EXPERTS GUILD – FULL LIST
On January 24, 2025, film writers united and announced the establishment of the Azerbaijan Guild of Film Critics and Film Critics.
At a meeting held with the participation of AMU associate professor, art critic, and educator Nadir Badalov, film critics Aliya Dadashova, Aygun Aslanli, Nazrin Mahu, Ilgar Guliyev, Ulvi Mehdi, Haji Safarov, film critics Togrul Abbasov, Shahla Amirli, Sevinj Elsever, editor of the kinoinfo.az website Ramil Alekperov, and secretaries of the Azerbaijan Cinematographers Union Oleg Safaraliyev and Ali Isa Jabbarov, Nadir Badalov was elected chairman of the Azerbaijan Guild of Film Critics and Film Critics, and film critics Haji Safarov and Aygun Aslanli were elected deputies.
The Guild began its activities by establishing the local film critics' award in order to support film production in the country, as well as to stimulate the improvement of the artistic quality of audiovisual products. Thus, a delegation of 17 filmmakers, headed by the chairman of the guild, Nadir Badalov, tried to evaluate in professional categories about 40 feature and short feature and documentary films that were released on the big screens in the country in one way or another - released in cinemas or shown at festivals - in 2024.
On June 3, the announcement and award ceremony of the winners of the Azerbaijan Film Critics and Film Critics Guild award was held at the "Nizami" Cinema Center. At the opening of the event, a representative of the founding organization of the guild, ACI Secretary Oleg Safaraliyev and the chairman of the Guild, Nadir Badalov, delivered congratulatory speeches. They emphasized that the establishment of the Guild is an important event in the development of our film criticism and the local cinema industry in general, and wished success in future activities.
The awards were presented to the winners by the editor-in-chief of the kinoinfo.az website Ramil Alakbarov, film critics Ulvi Mehdi, Aliya Dadashova, Nazrin Mahu, Sadagat Kamal, Elza Akhundova, Haji Safarov, member of the Board of Directors of the Azerbaijan Film Academy, film critic Sevda Sultanova, film critics Shahla Amirli, Shahana Urfan, poet, writer Gismat Rustamov, executive secretary of the Azerbaijan Film Academy Ali Isa Jabbarov and chairman of the AKKG Nadir Badalov.
We present the list of winners:
“Best Screenplay” nomination:
Screenwriters of the film “Gate”: Vusal Ahmadzadeh, Emin Efendiyev, Alikhan Rajabov
For being a debut work, intersecting different layers of society within a labyrinthine plot, and making social problems relevant in the comedy genre;
“Best Directorial Work” nomination:
“Monologue of a Lonely Man” - Emin Efendiyev
For the dynamic visual solution of the story and the ability to express the inner world of the characters;
“Best Cinematography” nomination:
“Meeting with the Sky” - Shahmar Safaroglu
For the visual fullness of the action atmosphere, flexible work in different locations;
“Best Musical Solution” nomination:
“The Lost Diary” - Sadagat Karimova
For the emotional expression of ethnographic motifs in everyday life;
“Best Artist Work” nomination:
“Taghiyev: OIL” - production designer Sabuhi Atababayev and costume designer Vusal Rahim
For the detailed and vivid reflection of the atmosphere of the historical period through locations, costumes and decor;
“Best Actor” nomination:
“The Monologue of a Lonely Man” – Mahir Darvish
For his masterful expression of a father’s suffering and desperate situation through body language;
“The Door” – Nurlan Rustamov
For his convincing expression of the emotional transitions of a doomed individual in various situations;
“Best Actress” nomination:
“Apathy” – Shahla Aliqizi
For her skillful portrayal of both the inner and social anxiety of the heroine, creating a generalized image;
“Best Film” nomination:
“The Monologue of a Lonely Man”
For the humanistic presentation of the relationship between “fathers and sons” against the backdrop of the Karabakh war. The award was presented to the film’s producer, Sarvar Bayramov.
“Best Short Feature Film” nomination:
“Lent” – Mirvugar Abdulov
For the successful artistic solution of the idea of reconciling the desire for innovation with loyalty to tradition;
“Best Short Documentary” nomination:
“Homeless Month” - Atanur Nabiyeva
For her poetic presentation of the reality of how environmental problems turn into people’s personal tragedies.
Since Atanur Nabiyeva was not in the country, the award was presented to her parents.
In addition, AKKG awarded the “special award” to the documentary-fiction film “Return of the Cinematographer” by director Orkhan Agazade, who won numerous awards at many international festivals in 2024 and, although not officially an Azerbaijani production, managed to extremely successfully and visually express the universal idea of “cinema and time” in the person of an ordinary Azerbaijani citizen. The award was presented to the film’s cinematographer, Daniel Guliyev, who was awarded the prestigious German Camera Award for his work on the film, instead of the director, who is currently studying in Paris.
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