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Awards and Festival Achievements in Azerbaijani Cinema
In the 1940s and 1950s, documentary filmmakers reaffirmed the importance of cinema by promptly informing society about the ongoing socio-political and economic-cultural processes through films.
A series of films by Roman Karmen, including a film that highlights the efforts of the oil prospectors, "Xəzər neftçiləri haqqında dastan," filmed in 1953, and his 1959 production "Dənizi fəth edənlər," were awarded the Lenin Prize. Film director Mukhtar Dadashov's several films, including his work "Sovet Azərbaycanı" gained recognition. In 1951, at the Cannes (France) V International Film Festival, his film received the Special Award of the Jury for scientific-popular and educational films. His film "Səadət yolu ilə" was honored with the Golden Medal of the International Union of Scientific and Technical Societies. The film "Leonid İliç Brejnev Bakıda" was awarded the Azerbaijan State Prize. In 1979, Teimur Bakirzada's film "Dissonans" won the Gold Medal at the 7th All-Union Sports Films Festival in Leningrad. In the same year, at the 12th All-Union Film Festival in Ashgabat, the film received a Diploma from the jury for its outstanding and dynamic sports reporting. In 1980, he was awarded the prize of the World Association of Sports Journalists in Moscow. In 1982, he received a Bronze Medal at the International Film Festival of Short Films in Budapest. In 1987, Khamis Muradov's films "Əks-səda" and "Balaban" were awarded the Azerbaijan State Prize. Alongside documentary cinema, film professionals who have achieved success in artistic cinema have gained fame and recognition not only within the republic but also on the international stage.
Awards and Festival Achievements in Azerbaijani Cinema
In 1945, the iconic Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli's comedy film "Arşın mal alan" was adapted for the screen for the second time, preserving its relevance for all eras.
In 1946, composer U. Hajibekli, director R.
Tahmasib, actresses L. Javanshir-Badirbekli, M. Kalantarli, actors R. Bekbudov, L. Abdullaev, A. Huseinzada
were honored with the Stalin Prize.
The film "Ögey Ana" was awarded the 3rd degree prize at the 1959 All-Union Film Festival held in Kyiv.
The war drama "Uzaq sahillərdə" received a diploma at the 1959 All-Union Film Festival held in Kyiv, and
composer Gara Garaev was awarded the 2nd prize for the film's music.
The novella "Cazibə qüvvəsi" was awarded a diploma in 1966 at the 1st All-Union Sports Films Festival in
Moscow for its poetic expression of the theme of sports.
The comedy film "Arşın mal alan" (1965) received the Best Musical Film award from the Georgian SSR
Composers' Union at the "Prometey-67" zone film festival in Tbilisi in 1967.
The film "İyirmialtılar" won the diploma and prize of the Georgian Filmmakers Union at the 1st zone film
festival of the Transcaucasian and Ukrainian republics held in Tbilisi in 1967. In 1968, the creative team
received the 2nd prize for the Best Historical-Revolutionary Film at the 3rd All-Union Film Festival in
Leningrad.
The short film "Qaraca qız" was screened at the 1st zone film festival of the Transcaucasian and Ukrainian
republics in Tbilisi in 1967, and it received the diploma and prize of the Georgian Literary and Artistic Society
(LKGİ MK).
The film "İnsan məskən salır" awarded director Arif Babaev with a diploma for the best debut at the
"Prometey-68" zone film festival of the Second Transcaucasian and Ukrainian republics in Yerevan in 1968.
Lately, the film "Mən ki gözəl deyildim" achieved success at the Third Zone Film Festival of the
Transcaucasian and Ukrainian republics in Kyiv in 1969. Actress Khuraman Gasimova received a diploma for
her excellent performance in the female role.
Afterwards, the work of film "Uşaqlığın son gecəsi" was awarded the prize for the best film for youth at the
"Prometey-69" Third Zone Film Festival of the Transcaucasian and Ukrainian republics in Kyiv in 1969.
Composer Polad Bulbuloghlu received a Special Diploma from the Ukrainian Composers' Union for the best
music.
Awards and Festival Achievements in Azerbaijani Cinema
The war drama "Bizim Cəbiş müəllim" was screened at the IV All-Union Film Festival in Minsk in 1970.
Actor
Suleiman Alasgarov was awarded the diplomas of the USSR Cinematography Committee and the USSR
Filmmakers Union for his outstanding acting talent and brilliant realistic portrayal.
Director Shamil Mahmudbekov and screenwriter Alla Akhundova were awarded with the Azerbaijan State
Award in 1970 for the film "Şərikli çörək”.
The film "Axırıncı aşırım" was screened at the V All-Union Film Festival in Tbilisi in 1972, and actors Adil
Isgandarov and Hasan Mammadov received awards for the best male roles.
After couple of years, the film "Ömrün ilk saatı" won an inspiring diploma for addressing the theme of
institutional education and generational legacy at the VII All-Union Film Festival in Baku in 1974.
The historical biopic "Nəsimi" received an award for the best historical theme at the VII All-Union Film
Festival in Baku in 1974, and actor Rasim Balaev received the II prize for the best male role.
The war drama "Tütək səsi" earned screenwriter Isa Huseinov the diploma and award of the Kyrgyz Writers'
Union at the IX All-Union Film Festival in Frunze (now Bishkek) in 1976.
The social drama "Xoşbəxtlik qayğıları" was awarded at the X All-Union Film Festival in Riga in 1977 for
addressing the original theme of it. The director of the film received a special diploma from the jury.
The film "Ad günü" received the Azerbaijan State Award in 1978, the jury's prize at the VIII All-Union Television
Film Festival in Baku in 1979, and a diploma from the ADR television in Berlin in 1980.
Awards and Festival Achievements in Azerbaijani Cinema
The producers of the film "Sevinc buxtası” were awarded the Azerbaijan Republic State Prize in 1978.
The
film's director E. Quliyev, screenwriter G. Mdivani, cinematographer R. Ismailov, production designer R.
Ismailov, and actor A. Gadirov were all recognized. Additionally, the film received the diploma of the
"Avanqard" Republican Youth Newspaper at the XI All-Union Film Festival held in Yerevan in 1978.,
The film “İstintaq" won the Grand Prize for the best literary film at the XIII All-Union Film Festival held in
Dushanbe in 1980. In 1981, several members of the creative team were awarded the USSR State Prize for
their contributions to the film. These included screenplay author Rustam Ibrakhimbekov, director Rasim
Ojagov, cinematographer Rafig Gambərov, production designer Fikrat Bagirov, and actors Alexander Kalyagin,
Hasan Mammadov, and Shafiga Mammadova.
1970-1980s were a period of notable success in Azerbaijani cinema, with films like "Qızıl uçurum", "Təkcə
adanı özünlə apara bilməzsən", "Bağlı qapı", "Nizami", "Park", "Qara gölün cəngavərləri", "Atları yəhərləyin",
"Şeytan göz qabağında", "Yaramaz", "Ölsəm... bağışla", "Qəzəlxan", "Nakəs", and others receiving awards at
various festivals and even the State Prize.
1990s was a challenging period for Azerbaijani cinema due to various factors affecting creative processes.
Despite the status quo in film production, Ayaz Salayev's film "Yarasa" marked history as the first Azerbaijani
feature film to be screened in the "Forum" section of the Berlin International Film Festival under the "A"
category. The film received the Grand Prix award in the city of Angers.
In 1997, the film "Özgə vaxt” participated in the 1st Madrid International Film Festival, where the director
Hüseyn Mehdiyev won the "Golden Seville" award for best direction, and Ayan Mirqasımova was honored
with the "Silver Seville" award for best young actress.
Vagif Mustafaev's film "Hər şey yaxşılığa doğru” earned recognition in 1998 at the 44th Oberhausen
International Short Film Festival. The film was awarded the "Ulenşpigel" prize for its focus on peace and
humor, as well as three other awards
Awards and Festival Achievements in Azerbaijani Cinema
Despite the challenges of the era, Azerbaijani filmmakers continued to make their mark on the international stage, showcasing their creativity and talent in various film festivals.
In 2005, at the "Golden Minbar" I
International Film Festival in Kazan, Ogtai Mirkhasumov's film "Ovsunçu" was awarded the highest prize of
the festival, the "Golden Apricot." Asif Rustamov's “Axınla Aşağı" and Chingiz Rasulzada's "Kuklalar" films
participated at various the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Additionally, the film “Axınla Aşağı" won
the "Best Debut" award at the Los Angeles SEEfest International Film Festival.
The success stories of independent Azerbaijan's film industry continues even nowadays. In 2013, the film
"Buqələmun," directed by young filmmakers Ru Hasanov and Elvin Adıgozel,
made its debut at the Locarno Film Festival, marking a milestone for Azerbaijani cinema.
Teimur Hajiyev's film "Duz, istiot zövqə görə" participated in the Rotterdam Film Festival in 2018, and his film
“Axşama doğru" was featured at the International Rotterdam Film Festival. "Towards Evening" also took part
in the "Directors' Fortnight" section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2020. Elmar Imanov's film “Mövsümün sonu" was awarded the FIPRESCI Prize at the Rotterdam International Film
Festival. His diploma project “Tabutçunun yelləncəyi" also received the "Student Oscar" award.
Hilal Baydarov's documentary work titled “Xurmalar yetişən vaxt" received awards at the 25th Sarajevo Film
Festival in 2019 and the "Nyon Visions du Reel" Film Festival in Switzerland. In 2020, his film “Səpələnmiş
ölümlər arasında" was selected for the main competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Awards and Festival Achievements in Azerbaijani Cinema
In the same year, director Ru Hasanov won the "Heart of Sarajevo" award for "Best Director" at the 26th Sarajevo Film Festival with his film “Daxildəki ada”.
Ismail Safarali's feature film “Balıqçının qızı" participated in the main competition program of the Moscow
International Film Festival in 2020.
Imam Hasanov's documentary film “Müqəddəs inək" participated in the IDFA and Toronto Film Festivals.
Teimur Gambarov's film "Quxuroba" and the young director Azer Guliev's film "Təngnəfəs" have also qualified
for the "Oscar" competition for short films at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Another young director, Lala Aliyeva's film “Onlar pıçıldaşırlar, bəzən isə çığırır.” has been featured at
Switzerland's Visions Du Reel festival.
Tahmina Rafaella's "Qadın" and Orkhan Aghazada's “Oturacaqlar" participated in the Palm Springs
International ShortFest, a qualifying festival for Oscars and Bafta, held in the United States.
In 2022, Asif Rustamov's film "Mərmər soyuğu" won the award for "Best Actor" in the nomination for Xalq
artist Qurban İsmayılov's role at the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights festival.
In the same year, director Vagif Mustafaev's film "Həyat, deyəsən, gözəldir” won the award for "Best Director"
at the Korkut Ata Film Festival.
In 2023, Nazrin Aghamalieva's short animated film "Hədis" has been selected to the official competition at
the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan