Festivals: call for entries

XIII Forum of the young cinema Umut-2026

 

Dates & place: 03.03-07.03.2026, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Organizer: Cinema Department with support: Interstate humanitarian cooperation fund
Participants: Ex-Soviet countries
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Call for Entries – 38th Film Festival Dresden

 

FILMFEST DRESDEN is looking forward to new short films! We are now accepting submissions for the 38th festival edition in 2026.

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Call for Entries – 43rd Fajr International Film Festival

 

I'm delighted to announce that submissions are now open for the 43rd edition of the Fajr International Film Festival, taking place from November 26 – December 3, 2025, in Iran.

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Wednesday, 02 April 2025 00:00

XII Forum of Young Cinema "Umut - 2025": "Islam: We walk with you"
 
Dates: April 10-14, 2025 
Place: Bishkek, Kyrgystan
"Islam: We walk with you" made by Kazuya Isobe from Japan
 
 
XII Forum of Young Cinema "Umut - 2025": 
 
«Islam: We walk with you»by Kazuya Isobe, Kyrgyzstan, 2024, 15’, doc.
 
This film will be shown on the 13th April 2025 between 09:30 - 12:30, Cinema House, Logvinenko, 13 
 

«Islam: We walk with you» by Kazuya Isobe, Kyrgyzstan, 2024, 15', doc.

Synopsis. In a village in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, there is a family of four living peacefully. They have a precious son named Islam. He was born with cerebral palsy and cannot walk by himself. Because of the remote location, the village is unable to provide rehabilitation for him. Milk tea poured into the empty cup, his mother staring at the clinic, his father and brother fixing the car. All lead to one hope.
This film is made for all children with disabilities who live in remote areas. We are offering all the funds we receive through this film to support their expenses of rehabilitation.

 

Kazuya Isobe. He is a documentary filmmaker from Japan who has created 15 short films across more than 20 countries. Notably, his films The Journey and Islam have received the following accolades:

Awards and Recognitions
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia – Official Selection, Non-Fiction Category (Academy Awards Accredited)
New York Cinematography Award 2023 – Best Documentary of the Month
Cine Paris Film Festival 2023 – Best Director of the Month
Motomiya City Canary Film Festival – Best Documentary Award
Yokohama Independent Film Festival – Best Documentary Award
Nara Medical University & MBT Consortium Rare Disease Film Festival – Excellence Award (3rd Edition)
Ishigaki Island & Shonan International Documentary Film Festival – Grand Prix, Short International Competition (3rd Edition)
Ankara International Disaster Film Festival (Turkey) – Best Director, Documentary Category
Istanbul International Short Film Festival (Turkey) – Best Documentary, Writer’s Journey Category
Nomad Central Asia University Film Festival 2024 (Kyrgyzstan) – Audience Award

 
 
 

Hello, My name is Kazuya Isobe, the director of "Islam: Walking with You.

 

In the fall of 2023, while traveling in Kyrgyzstan, I met a boy named Islam. He was born with cerebral palsy and is unable to walk independently or speak.

 

His village is in a remote area without medical facilities, making it difficult for him to receive proper rehabilitation.

 

To shed light on his situation, I created a documentary about his family. This film received 7 awards and nominations all over the world.

 

However, since adequate treatment is not available in Kyrgyzstan, we have launched a crowdfunding campaign to support his rehabilitation abroad.

 

 

 

You can donate us from here:

 

 
 

Contact:  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

       Instagram: @beeyan_jph