03/08/2023 - The first edition of the event is scheduled to take place from 11-14 September in Almaty, aiming to connect the CIS countries with the European and the global film industry

In the wake of Kazakhstan’s historical role as a bridge between Europe and Asia, a novel initiative has emerged — the Eurasian Film Market. This project seeks to forge stronger ties between the film industries of these two significant regions. The Eurasian Film Market stands as an annual international forum, purposefully designed to cater to the contemporary demands of the film industry. Its primary objectives include pushing the boundaries of regional cooperation and fostering new business relationships between the film sectors of the region and countries both nearby and far-reaching.

The first-ever Eurasian Film Market is scheduled to take place from 11-14 September in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which serves as the heart of the country’s thriving film industry, with its concentration of major film organisations and diverse natural landscapes ideal for filming. The primary objective of the Eurasian Film Market is to establish a platform that can facilitate the promotion of both domestic and foreign film projects and companies within the CIS countries. Moreover, it aims to foster increased business opportunities between the CIS countries and the global film industry, with a specific focus on supporting the film sector in Central Asia as a pivotal aspect of this endeavour.

Hélène Haug, co-founder and director of the Eurasian Film Market, expressed: “In light of the ongoing social-political developments worldwide, we recognise the increasing significance of Central Asia as a critical link between the East and West. Presently, Central Asian countries are producing films that garner invitations to prestigious A-list film festivals, with sales agents incorporating Central Asian films into their international line-ups. This surge in demand for co-production projects is further supported by a well-developed infrastructure for filming in the region. However, there remains much to be accomplished, improved, and achieved. The Eurasian Film Market aims to serve as the platform that not only unites professionals in the CIS film industry and creates optimal conditions for film business within the region, but also forges robust cooperative bridges between the CIS countries and the global film community.”

Notably, the Eurasian Film Market stands out as the sole film market worldwide that will showcase the highest number of Central Asian films in its exclusive program known as #SEARCH. This new initiative welcomes submissions of feature-length films (across all genres) and documentaries from the years 2022 and 2023, to be presented as part of the general programme during the Eurasian Film Market. The submission process is entirely free of charge. The primary target audience for the #SEARCH programme consists of film content buyers, including distributors, sales agents, streaming platforms, cinemas, and film festivals. This platform aims to facilitate meaningful connections between the creators of outstanding Central Asian cinema and the industry professionals seeking exceptional film content.

Currently, there is a lack of consolidated information about the various companies and organisations operating within the film industry in Central Asia. However, there is a noticeable surge in interest and demand from foreign companies seeking co-production projects and film-related services in the region. To address this need, the Eurasian Film Market, in collaboration with the toqsan.com platform, is taking the initiative to create a comprehensive catalogue of Central Asian companies involved in the film industry. This specialised catalogue will be available at the Eurasian Film Market in 2024 as well as on the websites of other international film markets partnered with the Eurasian Film Market. This step aims to bridge the information gap and provide a valuable resource for industry professionals looking to engage with the dynamic film landscape of Central Asia.

The organisers anticipate a strong participation of more than 200 companies in the inaugural edition of the market. Among the attendees will be producers representing production centres and film production companies, and film content buyers such as distributors, sales agents, streaming platforms, and cinemas. Additionally, foreign organisations dedicated to promoting their respective country’s film industry, film commissions, representatives from foreign funds, and selective funds programs supporting film production and distribution in the region, as well as international film festival programmers, are expected to be present. Notably, several European companies have already confirmed their attendance, with further announcements slated closer to the event. More details are available on the official website: www.eurasianfilmmarket.com