Azercell provided support to young cinematographers.

Baku, December 13, 2006

The 3rd international festival of student films “START” opened on December 13. After the opening ceremony, which took place in Rashid Behbudov State Song Theatre, the festival will be continued in “Sada” theatre until December 16-th. “Azercell Telecom”, which always contributes to development of Azerbaijani culture and provides support to the high-intellectual projects гs the general sponsor of the festival, which has been organized by the Ministries of Culture and Tourism and Youth and Sports.

“START” International festival of student films was established in 2004 by the “Cinema” Centre of Young Cinematographers. At the festival the winners will be announced in five nominations. Authors of the films, which will win the first place in the nominations “Best Film”, “Best Documentary Film” and “Best Feature Film”, will be awarded with monetary prizes.

Five students, who will distinguish themselves, will be awarded with distinction diplomas and one student will be awarded with the prize “For the Best Idea.” The jury of the international festival is comprised of famous cinema workers from five countries, including Iranian director Babek Shirinsifat, participant and winner of international movie festivals, Elchin Musaoglu (Azerbaijan), laureate of international movie festivals, Galiya Eltay, script writer and movie critic from Kazakhstan, Ahmed Erdal, Turkish director of short films, and Eyub Shakhobdinov from Uzbekistan.

A total of 90 films from 9 countries, including Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, have been submitted to the festival. The selection commission has selected 45 films for the competition. The main criteria during selection were original idea, interesting plotline and author’s concept.

In addition to the competition program, the films by members of the jury will be shown and movie professionals will give lectures within the framework of the festival.

Holding of such festivals in Azerbaijan contributes to development and enrichment of spiritual world and aesthetic taste of people and is worthy of approval. “Azercell Telecom” JV, which always provides support to the projects, which give an impetus to development of culture, arts, education and sports, will continue providing its assistance.