Azerbaijani films join Varesh Film Festival

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijani films were screened in the eighth Varesh International Film Festival, which was held in Iran on January 19-22.

The festival included such documentary films of "Azanfilm" studio as "Melting Island", "Interihange", "Lahic" as well as the animated film "Old Watch". The short feature film "Lighthouse" was also screened during the festival.

The screenwriter of "Melting Island" and "Lighthouse" is Esmira Eyyub. The films' director is Fariz Ahmadov. "Lahic"'s screenwriter and film director is Tofig Shahverdiyev, producer is Fariz Ahmadov. Screenwriter and film director of "Old Watch" is Javid Ahadov, producer - Fariz Ahmadov.

From 1,278 films sent to the festival, 168 were included in the festival's competition program. Some 58 of them are works of Iranian filmmakers and 110 of foreigners.

The festival aims to promote cultural heritage of several Caspian nations and ethnic groups. It also helps identification of young and talented filmmakers as well as development of creative links between them.

"Azanfilm" studio was established in 1993 by the Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Ministry as one of the state film studios. As the only professional animation studio in Baku, "Azanfilm" studio is also engaged in production of films and video productions. Over 20 years, dozens of successful animation films, documentary and feature films production have been accomplished in the audiovisual field.

Azanfilm's mission is to play an active role in the development of Azerbaijani cinematography through training human resources in the film-making sphere, along with the production of national documentary and feature films, their promotion in local and foreign markets, and the provision of legal support for film production projects. General director of studio is Fariz Ahmedov.