Like in many other fields, the primary objectives driving progress and improvement in cinematography are analysis, a scientific approach, the formulation of logical conclusions, and the identification of new trends and future directions. Film critics and film scholars are entrusted to take these responsibilities. Unfortunately, there are considerable gaps in creating the scientific and theoretical foundation of cinematography in Azerbaijan, as well as in the field of criticism and analysis To attain a systematic resolution of these problems, film writers are uniting to announce the founding of the Guild of Azerbaijani Film Critics and Film Scholars.
On January 24th of the recent year, a meeting was held with the participation of a senior lecturer at Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (ASUCA) Nadir Badalov, film critics Aliya Dadashova, Aygun Aslanlı, Nasrin Mahu, Ilgar Guliyev, Ulvi Mehdi, Hajı Safarov, film scholars Toghrul Abbasov, Shahla Amirli, Sevinj Elsavar, the editor of the kinoinfo.az website Ramil Alakbarov, and the secretaries of the Azerbaijan Union of Film-makers Oleg Safarliyev and Ali İsa Jabbarov. During the voting, Nadir Badalov was elected as the president of the Guild of Azerbaijani Film Critics and Film Scholars, and film critics Hajı Safarov and Aygun Aslanlı were elected as vice presidents.
The Guild commences its activities by establishing an award for local film critics, aiming to support film production in the country and to inspire the elevation of the artistic standards of audiovisual creations. Under the guidance of Professor Nadir Badalov, the head of the Guild, a team consisting of 17 film writers tried to assess approximately 40 feature and short films in both fiction and documentaries that reached the big screens – either released in cinemas or screened at festivals – throughout the country in 2024 in professional categories. The following films have been shortlisted for the selection round.
The shortlist was determined according to a 10-point scoring system, and the order is mandatory.
Feature film category:
Best Screenplay:
“The Door” – (Screenwriters: Vusal Ahmadzade, Emin Afandiyev, Alikhan Rajabov)
“Meeting with Sema” – (Screenwriters: Orkhan Mardan, Vugar Huseynov, Talib Ahmadov)
“Monologue of a Lonely Man” – (Screenwriter: Emin Afandiyev)
“Sariyya” – (Screenwriter: Alikhan Rajabov)
“The Lost Diary” – (Screenwriter: Sedaget Kerimova)
“The 21st Miracle” – (Screenwriter: Elchin Muradov)
“Best Directing”
“Meeting with Sema” – (Director: Rufat Shahbazov)
“Apathy – 1” – (Director: Hikmat Rahimov)
“The Door” – (Director: Vusal Ahmadzade)
“Monologue of a Lonely Man” – (Director: Emin Afandiyev)
“The 21st Miracle” – (Director: Shahin Gahraman)
“Qarabagh FK: – 30 seasons away” (Director: Fuad Guliyev)
Best Cinematography:
“Meeting with Sema” – (Cinematographer: Shahmar Safaroglu)
“Apathy – 1” – (Cinematographer: Hasan Aslanov)
“Sariyya” -(Cinematographer: Iman Imanov)
“The 21st Miracle” – (Cinematographer: Shahmar Safaroglu)
“Taghiyev: Oil” – (Cinematographer: Vladimir Artemiev)
“Monologue of a Lonely Man” – (Cinematographer: Daniel Guliyev)
Best Original Song:
“Apathy – 1” – (Composer: Aflatun Abdullayev)
“The Lost Diary” – (Composer: Sedaget Kerimova)
“Meeting with Sema” – (Composer: Ruhin Mammadov)
“The 21st Miracle” – (Composer: Rustam Zeynalli)
“Taghiyev: Oil” – (Composer: Etibar Asadli)
“Monologue of a Lonely Man” – (Composer: Azer Hajiasgarli)
Best Art Direction:
“Monologue of a Lonely Man” – (Art Director: Arif Niftiyev)
“Apathy – 1” – (Art Director: Malaksima Mammadova)
“Taghiyev: Oil” – (Art Director: Sabuhi Atabalayev)
“Meeting with Sema” – (Art Director: Sevda Gasimova)
“The 21st Miracle” – (Art Director: Vugar Gurbanov)
“Sariyya” – (Art Director: Elvin Aliyev)
Best Actor:
“The Door” – (Nurlan Rustamov)
“Apathy – 1” – (Tural Bakhish)
“Monologue of a Lonely Man” – (Elshan Asgarov, Mahir Dervish)
“Meeting with Sema” – (Taleh Yuzbayov)
“Actor” – (Samimi Farhad)
“The Lost Diary” – (Mazahir Salimov, Edgar Amrahov, Amil Mehdiyev, Anar Ahmadov and others)
Best Actress:
“The 21st Miracle” – (Kamala Piriyeva)
“The Lost Diary” – (Zafina Mirzabekova, Eleonora Abdullayeva, Leyla Saydumova, Rahila Omarova and others)
“Meeting with Sema” – (Kamala Piriyeva)
“Apathy -1” – (Shehla Alikizi)
“Sariyya” – (Nazi Heydarova)
“A Boor: Nurse” (Zemfira Abdulsamadova)
Best Picture:
“Qarabagh FK: – 30 seasons away”
“The Door”
“Meeting with Sema”
“Apathy – 1”
“Actor”
“Monologue of a Lonely Man”
Best Fiction Short Film:
“The Well” (Director: Rufat Ray)
“Outside” (Director: Daniel Guliyev)
“Tape” (Director: Mirvugar Abdulov)
Red colour of the 2nd planet” (Director: Azer Guliyev)
“Silence Has No Wings” (Directed: Zaur Mukhtarov)
“The Pine Grove” (Director: Ilkin Umarov)
Best Documentary Short Film:
“Moon without a house” (Director: Atanur Nabiyeva )
“Nowruz” (Director: Arturan Najafi Gol)
“Prius” (Director: Emil Ali)
“God’s saving hand” (Director: Babek Abbaszade)
“My Grandfather’s House” (Director: Leyla Ganbarli)
“POV Memory” (Director: Igor Smola)
The winners will be revealed on the aki.az website in the near future.
aki.az