“Bastau” (BEGINNING) International Debut and Student Film Festival the first and the largest film festival in Central Asia that aims to develop the international cooperation and a cultural exchange between young filmmakers from all over the world.
Festival’s Motto: «NEW GENERATION CINEMA».
The festival is held in the city of Almaty, the largest southern city of the Republic of Kazakhstan – in the very heart of the Silk Way. The city remains the unique cultural bridge between East and West.

AWARDS

The International Jury of the short student and debut films competition (fiction, doc and animation) section presents the following awards and diplomas:

Prize for the Best short fiction film

Prize for the Best short animated film

Prize for the Best short documentary film

Special Jury Prize

The International Students Jury of the student short films competition section presents the following awards and diplomas:

Prize for the Best Student short film

The International Jury of the full length debut feature films competition section presents the following awards and diplomas:

Prize for the Best Debut Film

Prize to the Best Director

Special Jury Prize

Prize to the Best Actor

Prize to the Best Actress

The International Jury of the full length debut documentary films competition section presents the following awards and diplomas:

Prize for the Best debut full length Documentary film
Special Jury Prize

FESTIVAL’S PROGRAM

Competition program:

BASTAU SHORTS – international competition of short student and debut films (fiction, doc 7-30 minutes and animation 5-30 minutes) produced within the last two years.

BASTAU DEBUTS – international competition of debut full length fiction films (from 70 minutes) produced within the last two years.

BASTAU DOCS – competition program of debut full length documentary films (from 50 minutes) produced within the last two years;

Out-of-competition program:

BASTAU KZ – program of the newest films from Kazakhstan;

BASTAU GLOBE – world panorama of the films-participants of the international film festivals;

BASTAU CENTRAL ASIA – the program of the new films from Central Asia.

BASTAU KIDS - special program for children.

ALMATY FILM LAB – a business platform with pitching:

Round-table talks, master classes, workshops, press-conferences.

The screening and events program is determined by “Bastau IFF” Program Department.

SCREENING FORMAT

Films in the official program are accepted in the original format and on the online screeners in the original language with English subtitles.

The film, selected to one of the festival’s programs shall not be withdrawn after the official confirmation of its participation.
Each film shall not be screened for more than two times during the festival.
All conditions and terms are mandatory; otherwise, “Bastau” IFF Program Department reserves the right to exclude the film from the festival program.

SUBMISSION FORM REGULATIONS

The applicants who wish to submit their films to the “Bastau” IFF shall fill in the submission form and provide an online screener with English subtitles.
Selection of the films shall be carried out by the festival Program department. Once the film is officially selected, the producers of the films shall forward the following materials to the «Bastau» IFF Program department:
• Subtitled cue sheet (dialogue lists) in English;
• Synopsis, promotional materials, press-kits;
• Information for the Catalogue (director’s biography, filmography, photo of the director, poster of the film and 3-4 film stills, film trailer).

OFFICIAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

The screening of the film in the official program of the «Bastau» IFF provides the possible attendance of one representative from the film at the festival (the director, producer, actor/actress or other member of the film crew) agreed and approved by the «Bastau» IFF Program Department.
«Bastau» IFF Guest Department deals with the matters regarding the personal guests’ invitations, terms and provisions of the Festival attendance and accreditation.
Conditions of the guests’ attendance shall be specified in their individual invitation letters.

JURY

The International Jury is formed for the evaluation of the competition programs.
Travel expenses to Almaty and back as well as accommodation of the jury members are covered by the «Bastau» IFF.
International Jury must not consist of individuals who participated in the production or distribution of the films screened in competition.

FINAL PROVISIONS

The participation in the film festival requires compliance with all items of these Regulations.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mert Harmandar

    The festival was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We screened our documentary "2300 Kilometers". As the director of the documentary, I was there. It was a wonderful festival, really helpful staff, and great films from all around the world!
    Very great festival and I recommend everyone who are students and everyone who has finished their first films!

    December 2022
  • nikos tsiamantanis

    very good festival. Good luck to the Organizers.

    December 2022