Celebrities shine on red carpet of Eurasia Film Festival in Almaty

The 9th International Film Festival Eurasia kicked off on Semptember 16 in Almaty, Tengrinews.kz reports. The traditional opening ceremony of the Eurasia Film Festival hosted famous Kazakhstan, Russian and American actors, participants of international contests and jury members led by director Jane Campion, the second out of four women ever nominated for the Academy Award for the Best Director and is also the first female filmmaker in the history to receive the Palme d'Or, which she received for directing the acclaimed The Piano. She also got the Silver Lion of the Venice Film Festival. Russian actor Boris Smolkin, famous by his Konstantin role in My Fair Nanny series, French composer and actor Charles Aznavour, Kazakh actors and directors Assanali Ashimov with his family, Aziz Beishinaliyev, Emir Baigazin, Aziz Zhambakiyev (Likvidator), Renat Gaisin, Berik Aitzhanov, Sergey Pogosyan, Asylkhan Tolepov, Karlygash Mekhametzhanova, Assel Sagatova, Kyralai Anarbekova, Aisulu Azimbayeva and Kairat Nurtas also shined on the red carpet in front of the Republic Palace in Almaty. Kazakhfilm studios president Yermek Amanshayev announced the opening of the Film Festival. He thanked everybody for the contribution into development of the Kazakhstan film industry and helped to annual film festival happen. "It is always so exciting for me to open the festival. We look forward to the event every year and this year the festival coincides with the Almaty City Day. Thanks for our joined efforts the Film Festival is becoming an important event for Almaty," Amanshayev said. Today, on September 17, the jury board has started to watch and evaluate the 12 feature length films that are participating in the competition program of the festival: - Miele (Italy 2013), - Henri (France 2012), - My sisters (Germany 2013), - Wadjda (Saudi Arabia, Germany 2012), - Don't worry Sarah (Iran 2013), - Iloilo (Singapore 2013), - Cycle (Turkey 2012), - Shame (Russia 2013), - In Bloom (Georgia 2013), - Passion (Kyrgyzstan 2013), - Zarandud (Tajikistan 2013), and - Bauyr (Little Brother) by Kazkahstan director Serik Aprymov. The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony of the Film Festival Eurasia. The 9th International Film Festival Eurasia is taking place on September 16-21 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. By Aizhan Tugelbayeva