State policy in audiovisual and interactive media in the Republic of Azerbaijan is implemented through the Ministry of Culture (for film and video) and the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan (for TV and radio). In each of these supervisions, appropriate state programs and specific policies are adopted to promote the country’s audio-visual and interactive media industry.
As part of the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of national leader Heydar Aliyev, a film forum on the theme “Azerbaijani Cinema – 125: Reality, Challenges and Goals” was held at the Heydar Aliyev Centre from April 20 to 21, jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Heydar Aliyev Centre. Famous film figures of the country, representatives of culture and the public, foreign guests and media representatives took part in panel discussions held within the framework of the forum on the themes “Ideology. National Cinema – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”, “Creativity. Prospects of Modern Azerbaijani Cinema”, “Business. Principles and Mechanisms for Financing Cinema and Other Audiovisual Works” and “Application of International Experience in Azerbaijani Cinema”.
On November 20, 2023, the Ministry of Culture established the Expert Council for Evaluating the Content of Cinematographic, Digital and Other Audiovisual Works. The purpose of the Council, which will operate on a public basis, is to evaluate works intended for state funding, as well as cinematographic and other audiovisual works (excluding audiovisual media materials) that are publicly broadcast throughout the country, regardless of the place of production, as well as content broadcast via digital platforms and internet information resources.
It is worth noting that the state provides substantial organisational and financial support for the development of cinematography through the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA) under the authority of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Thus, film project competitions were held for the 2023-2024 period to support the development of the film industry and encourage new and creative projects. Overall, forty-seven film projects were presented and considered, encompassing patriotic, historical, comedic, children, and documentary content, as well as student projects. Only during 2023-2024 did the funds allocated to local film production amount to 15,112,809 manats, of which 167,000 AZN was allocated for student films. In this regard, 16 films have already been delivered; five are in the filming stage, five are in post-production, and five are in the preparation stage.
The list of international film festivals, received state support during 2023-2024, include the DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival (held in 2023 and 2024), the “SALAM” International Youth Film Festival (2023 and 2024), the III “Korkut Ata” Turkic World Film Festival (2023), the Baku International Film Festival (2023 and 2024), the ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival (2023 and 2024), the “CINEMO” Mobile Film Festival (2023 and 2024), and the “Baku Cinema Breeze” (BCB) International Film Festival (2024)
On April 5 – June 6, 2024, the Media Development Agency and the Audiovisual Council hold a nationwide competition for terrestrial television broadcasters for the production and distribution of audiovisual products (prepared in a state order) to promote the production and distribution of audience-oriented and target-oriented content in the new media environment, increase the competitiveness of educational materials, stimulate content diversity and creativity, and effectively deliver information to the public about priority areas for the state and society. The winning television channels were determined in the competition on the topics of scientific-mass, cultural-educational, the education; science and culture; national customs and traditions and family values; developing national identity, moral values and a sense of patriotism in the younger generation; physical and spiritual development of children and youth; the history of Azerbaijani statehood; and on the topic of ecology and environmental protection. In the social video category, television channels that focused on new directions of Azerbaijani ideology, the promotion of the national idea; the physical and spiritual development of children and youth, the development of national identity, moral values, and a sense of patriotism in the younger generation; and ecology and environmental protection achieved success.
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