Focus on Kyrgyzstan November 27 16:00-17:00 @ Nordic Hotel Forum, room Sirius The thoughts on how European film producers can join forces with local talents are shared by acclaimed Kyrgyz film director Aktan Arym Kubat and established producers Altynai Koichumanova from Kyrgysztan and Marc Baschet from France Geo-political background Kyrgyzstan (officially Kyrgyz Republic) is a Central-Asian country, bordered with China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It is a landlocked small country, for 90% of its territory is covered with mountains of Tian-Shan mountain system. The highest peak is Pobeda (7439 metres). The country’s total territory is 198 500 square kilometres. Kyrgyz Republic has huge water resources: there are more than 28 000 rivers and 2000 lakes. The biggest and most beautiful lake is Issyk-Kul. It is situated a four-hour drive from the capital Bishkek and the location is very convenient for managing film shootings. Most of the films in Kyrgyzstan are shot in Issyk-Kul region. The climate in the country is continental: snowy cold winters and hot dry summers. Kyrgyzstan is a post-Soviet country, part of the CIS, independent and democratic. The Republic is governed by President and Parliament. It has its own currency, state symbols and language. Official languages are Kyrgyz and Russian. English language is taught in schools and universities and one can find English interpreter with ease. Total population of the country is 5.66 million. Access to Kyrgyzstan There are everyday flights to Kyrgyzstan from Istanbul (by Turkish Airlines) and Moscow (by Aeroflot). Other airlines operating in the country include as Lufthansa, BMI, etc. as well as local airlines. Kyrgyzstan has the most liberal visa regime of the Central Asian countries. The citizens of most European countries and the CIS need a visa, and there’s also a list of countries that can get the visa in the airport upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan. The customs regime does not have special features. There are no limitations for the quantity of foreign currency. Cultural projects and co-productions between foreign countries and Kyrgyzstan are very
86
welcome by the government and therefore have a simplified customs regime. Shooting and light equipment brought to Kyrgyzstan will be registered as temporary import with 3% fee (3% of the amount indicated in the invoice of the equipment). Film Industry After the collapse of the Soviet Union and gaining independence in 1991 Kyrgyzstan’s film industry was almost ruined and experienced a difficult period. The only working studio was state-owned National Kyrgyzfilm Studio, which produced one film per year or one film per two years. Cinemas were deserted and the admissions per capita was only 0.005. Step-by-step the situation started to improve when private production companies were created and a way for international co-productions opened. However, in general the film industry was very poor (five films per year) until 2005-2006, when the so-called boom of local Kyrgyz cinema started. Local private companies or independent filmmakers make very low-budget (1 500-15 000 Euro) commercial films for local distribution. In 2013, around 70 films were produced. The number of theatres, film screens and general interest towards cinema is increasing. In 2005, the number of screens in the country was six, in 2013, the number has climbed to more than 30. There are around 20 private production studios while Kyrgyzfilm remains the only stateowned company, which produces films out of state budget. Private studios and independent filmmakers can also apply to Kyrgyzfilm for