IX Kazan International Muslim Film Festival opens

From 5 to 11 September 2013, IX Kazan International Muslim Film Festival ( KMFMK )  will be held in the capital of Tatarstan . In anticipation of the opening of the festival,   the Ministry of Culture of Tatarstan held a press conference with the Chairman of the Jury , director general concern " Mosfilm" , People's Artist of Russia Karen Shakhnazarov , chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia , Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin , chairman of the organizing committee KMFMK , Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan Ayrat Sibagatullin .

Ayrat Sibagatullin told reporters on the program of the upcoming festival , recalling what pictures they will see in the coming days. He reiterated that Kazan Muslim Film Festival promotes the ideas of tolerance and multiculturalism .

According  to Ayrat Sibagatullin , the forum will bring together filmmakers from Russia , Europe , Asia, the CIS countries. For prizes in the main competition of the festival will be fighting 50 films : 20  (10 feature films and 10 shorts ), 20 documentaries (like - full and short films ) and 10 animated films . In addition to the competition program to the audience will be offered an extensive parallel program.

The festival is supported by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan. The founders of the forum are the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan City Administration , the Council of Muftis of Russia , with the participation of the Union of Cinematographers of Tatarstan and the cultural institutions of the State Budget of the Republic of Tatarstan " Tatarkino ." The motto of the festival - " Through the dialogue of cultures - the culture of dialogue" - reiterated at a press conference Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin .

"The festival , which began after the 1000th anniversary of Kazan, gained world fame. KMFMK does not lose its uniqueness in today's world, because we have to contribute to the rapprochement of cultures and traditions. In the program - not only films from Muslim countries , and  it always has been , "- said Ravil Gainutdin . He also thanked the government of the Republic of Tatarstan for the " patronage of the festival , which preaches spirituality ."

" This is probably the only festival of its kind, and I am absolutely sure that it will grow ," - says Karen Shakhnazarov . He admitted that the opportunity to lead the jury IX KMFMK became for him a great honor. "I am a Christian, but I will work at this festival , and the fact that I was invited here , characterizes the tolerant attitude of the Muslims of Russia to the variety of religions and traditions, their religious tolerance . Besides, we all grew up in the country, which is a pledge of prosperity - a lot of cultures , "- said the director.

When asked about what would guide the jury in assessing the festival pictures, Karen Shakhnazarov said: " Cinema as a work of art drawn to the heart, and so we too will be judged on the basis of these considerations - the heart ."

Evaluate the movies included in the main competition program will be an international jury . The jury in addition to Karen Shakhnazarov also includes a film critic and cultural studies Langerová Vera (Czech Republic) , the Iranian film director and producer Dariusz Mehrdzhui , screenwriter and director Kamalova Camara (Uzbekistan), film critic Ali Kos (Turkey), film critic Lyudmila Peregudova (Ukraine), Razil (Valais Tatarstan) .

The guests of honor IX   of  the Kazan Film Festival will  be  Krzysztof Zanussi ( Polish film director ) , Andris Liepa ( Artist Ballet Theatre ) , Shamil Khamatov ( film and theater actor ), Vladimir Menchov (director , actor ), Dmitry Dyuzhev (director , actor ), Valentina Talyzina (folk actress of stage and screen ) , Maxim Panfilov (director ), I. Forgacs (film critic of Hungary ) , Miroljub Vuckovic ( film expert from Serbia ) , Abbas Arnaout (Director General of the festival , " Al- Jazeera "), Tahar Houchi ( film journalist , art director Film Festival in Geneva) , Emilio de La Chezo ( director of the festival , " Seven rivers ") and others.

The festival will held master classes with figures of cinema , meetings with the participants of the festival , panel discussions on topical issues of cinema , the press conference. Culminating events that attract a lot of attention of the public, will be the traditional opening and closing ceremonies , as well as award winners.

Showing the competition program will be held at the Cinema " Rodina" , non-competitive programs - in theaters , " Mir ," " Grand Cinema" , " Kinomax " ( in the  "Tandem" ), House of Friendship of Peoples . Showtimes available at kazan-mfmk.com, the press service of KMFMK .

Press service of The RT Ministry of Culture