The International Film Festival 'Gorkut ata' has started at the Mukam Palace of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan, reports TDH.

The main goal of the international film forum, held with the participation of representatives of Turkic states, is to promote cooperation in the field of cinematography, develop cinema art, and introduce the world community to the culture of the Turkic peoples.

The participation of well-known film experts, actors, and experts from the Russian Federation together with the Turkic states in this event testifies to large-scale interaction in this direction.

It should be noted that this event is taking place in Ashgabat in connection with the declaration of the ancient Turkmen city of Anau as the cultural capital of the Turkic world for 2024. Last year, at the III Turkic World Film Festival, Turkmenistan received the 'Crane' statuette – a symbol of the transfer of the 'Gorkut ata' festival baton.

The opening ceremony of the film festival was attended by representatives of ministries and departments, accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations in Turkmenistan, public organizations, media representatives, residents and guests of the capital, as well as actors, directors, producers, and cinematographers from Turkic states.

Traditionally, before the ceremony, the honored guests walked the red carpet. The audience greeted the jury members of the feature and documentary film competition with loud applause. Then, one by one, representatives of delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bashkortostan (RF), the Republic of Tuva (RF), the Chuvash Republic (RF), Moldova, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and our country followed.

In the festively decorated foyer of the palace, an exhibition was organized, allowing visitors to take a tour through the history of Turkmen cinematography. Turkmen folk melodies and songs performed by bakhshi-sazandars added a bright national color to the festive atmosphere.

The film festival opened with the literary and musical composition 'Türkmen dünýäsi,' performed by artists of the Main Academic Drama Theater of Turkmenistan named after the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi and dance groups of the country. The celebration continued with the screening of the video 'Gorkut ata,' prepared by the 'Türkmenfilm' Association named after Oguz Khan.

Then, a boy in a national costume brought the festival's transitional symbol – the 'Crane' statuette, which Turkmenistan will hand over to Kazakhstan this year. The guests were then introduced to the jury of the feature and documentary film competition. Songs from Turkmen films added a bright note to the atmosphere of the film art festival.

Then, short videos were shown, introducing the guests to the feature and documentary films participating in the 'Gorkut ata' film festival. Participants were also shown a video about films previously shot by the 'Türkmenfilm' Association named after Oguz Khan. The first day of the film forum ended with vibrant performances by cultural and art figures of the country.

As part of the event, the foreign delegation visited the ancient Turkmen city of Anau and the Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque. The guests also visited the sights of the white-marble capital of the Turkmen state.

Over three days, domestic and foreign films will be presented to a wide audience at the 'Aşgabat' cinema, 'Watan' and 'Türkmenistan' cinema concert centers.

The program of the second day of the film festival includes a master class by film art figures for students of the Turkmen State Institute of Culture. In addition, on the same day, a meeting of filmmakers from TURKSOY member countries and an excursion to the International Akhal-Teke Equestrian Complex will take place at the 'Aşgabat' hotel.