Central Asia: At the Crossroads - is an independent short film festival organized by Berlin-based graduate students and researchers deeply interested in Central Asian cinematography and culture. This event is supported and funded by the Institute for East European Studies of Freie Universität Berlin.
The region of Central Asia reveals a complex identity that branches out like a rhizome: interwoven, multi-layered and in constant motion. With the title “Central Asia: At the Crossroads”, we want to highlight this complexity and examine the question of the directions in which the Central Asian states are moving, both independently and together.
Through critical dialogue, the festival will explore themes often silenced: the shifting roles of gender, youth redefining cultural legacies, the resilience of marginalized communities, environmental challenges, and the echoes of the Soviet past in the present.
We want to create more than just a film screening - a space for encounters, dialog and reflection. Live performances and post-screening discussions will connect audiences with the ideas shaping Central Asia’s present. The festival aims to transcend barriers and spark new perspectives.
