About the Fourth Sochi International Film Festival & Awards
November 16 – 21, 2019
Sochi-Russia
Sochi International Film Festival & Awards - is proud to announce its fourth world class event celebrating Russian, British and International film making for cinema that rises above the international political agenda.
The Awards has already received immense international media attention. The event will be attended by seasoned industry professionals and distinguished guests from around the globe.
Dear friends, participants and guests of the 2019 Sochi International Film Festival and Awards, (SIFFA’19)
I welcome you all on behalf of Sochi residents of the Olympic City of national consensus and hospitality. The best international cultural projects have found their home in Sochi. SIFFA’19 is no exception. In fact, the SIFFA project is gaining popularity in the country and around the globe, and is already the hallmark of the winter cultural season. It is a tradition to honour the great masters of cinema, and to support young directors who are starting on their cinematic journey. We also welcome the initiative of the organisers who pay special attention to cinema masters from the regions, especially those from the south of Russia, our countrymen. I wish the large international team of participants, guests and spectators, successful film discussion and debates, new creative meetings and unforgettable Black Sea magical evenings! Dear guests, welcome to Sochi!
Mayor of Sochi, Anatoly Pakhomov
2019
SIFFA 2019 PRESS RELEASE
SOCHI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESIDENT AND FAMILY JUBILANT AS NORTH CAUCASUS NEPHEW WINS TOP AWARD AT CANNES 2019
Pictured above: SIFFA Founder and President Luba Balagova on La Croisette at Cannes opening night, 15 May 2019
Quentin went, Sly was there, Elton John and entourage stole the limelight early on, Alain Delon and Catherine Deneuve rolled up, yes, there’s only one place on Earth to be in the movie business in May – Cannes in the south of France.
The 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival delivered its fair share of movie star dust, as always, and controversy too. So, merely to be selected for a showing at France’s supreme movie celebration is a genuine honour.
For young north Caucasian director Kantemir Balagov, SIFFA Founder and President Luba Balagova’s nephew, 2019 was actually the second time one of his films had been selected for screening at Cannes. His directorial debut at Cannes was in 2017 with ‘Closeness’, set in his home region near Sochi.
This year Russia’s fledgling cinematic prodigy was entered into one of the main three Cannes competitive categories, known as Un Certain Regard, for his feature length movie ‘Beanpole’, set in Leningrad in 1945 after that city’s relief from what had become one of the most atrocious and barbaric sieges in human history.
The Jury chose Kantemir Balagov’s ‘Beanpole’ for their Best Director award, a truly outstanding feat for a film-maker still only 28-years-old. Balagov was tutored by Russian movie maestro Alexander Sokurov at the highly successful film school set up under Sokurov’s leadership in the remote mountainous Caucasian town of Nalchik, 650 kms east of Sochi.
Kantemir’s aunt, SIFFA chief Luba Balagova was on hand to cheer her nephew on at the Cannes event, whilst also flying the flag for the 4th Sochi International Film Festival being staged in November this year.
“There was a lot of the usual Cannes hero worship of leading lights in our business, and it was good for SIFFA to be specially invited to the Opening Ceremony, where I was able to have a long discussion with Sylvester Stallone’s team, and of course Cannes is the nearest Europe gets to Hollywood and the Oscars,” said Luba, who made a stunning appearance on La Croisette in a cobalt blue designer gown.
“Naturally as a family we are delighted for Kantemir in his victory. I was also very glad to meet the late Rob Stewart’s parents over from Canada, as it was in Sochi last year and London in March at our UK Gala that we honoured their son’s remarkable achievement in underwater filming, ‘Sharkwater Extinction’.
“There were zombies, Hollywood top rankers such as Quentin Tarantino, and some of the greats of French cinema, but obviously best of all was a Russian movie taking such a high Award, made by my nephew, who is a native of the Caucasus, like me,” Luba said.
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS: for further details, photos, and other requests, please first check our website at www.sochifilmawards.com or contact SIFFA Media Director John Hellings on 07913 819784 or john.hellings@sochifilmawards.com
SIFFA MOMENTS
Videos
During a tough chapter in UK-Russian relations I was pleased to have been able to attend Luba's special evening... Luba , you are a brave and valiant woman to spearhead such a high-profile project in a hostile environment. But those of us who spent the 23rd with you had the privilege of breathing the same air as the legendary Stephen Frears, the American star Nick Nolte and the superb string ensemble (KANDOUR QUARTET).
Luba, this is a crucial time for artists to recover their voice, you are helping to restore the connection between all of us, film makers from all over the world. I applaud the philosophy that underpins what you are doing.
Congratulations on making history, Luba. Thanks to Anatoly Pakhomov, of course! Sochi is the ideal choice for the concept of creating an international film festival designed to restore the face of art to the world through cinema. (…) Russia has always presented to the world the best examples of literature, philosophy, cinema and, in general, culture! And now the new Sochi International Film Awards wrote a new chapter in history with the same concept.
A structured and strict concept of a powerful film festival has been formed, and you managed to prove its feasibility. Congratulations on what you have achieved, Luba. You've got proof of concept under your belt now! I thank Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov for supporting the new important film festival.
A smashing success! Thank you for bringing Moscow and Sochi delegations, for the unexpected Sochi-wood glamour, the feedback from staff members and external guests was unreservedly positive.
Admirable Lubov Balagova-Kandour.
President and Producer of the “IRIDA” First Sochi International Film Awards. Majestic woman and lady of the world. Her motto - nothing is impossible. A woman of words and deeds. Beautiful person and magnificent woman.
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