Bishkek, July 16, 2026. /Kabar/. The opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries is held in Cholpon-Ata resort town of Kyrgyzstan on July 16. The festival is being held as part of the Kyrgyz Republic's presidency in the SCO and is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the organization's founding.
According to the Department of Cinematography, a red carpet greeted guests before the official part of the festival. Official delegations of SCO member states, representatives of the diplomatic corps, an international jury, directors, actors, producers, festival participants, and distinguished guests marched through the streets.
The concert program began with musicians from China performing traditional Chinese flutes.
The ceremony organizers emphasized that this year's festival marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—an anniversary symbolizing the path of trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation between states. According to them, the festival is a vivid demonstration of how the language of art and cultural diplomacy can unite people, erasing boundaries and opening new opportunities for international dialogue.
Mirbek Mambetaliyev, Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, addressed the participants and guests with a welcoming speech, officially declaring the opening of the SCO International Film Festival.
During the ceremony, the festival's international jury, headed by renowned Kyrgyz director, screenwriter, and producer Ernest Abdyjaparov, was also introduced to the audience. The jury included representatives from Belarus, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan—recognized directors, producers, film scholars, and heads of their countries' leading film organizations.
A special feature of the program is the presentation of eight films in the international competition, which will compete for the festival's main awards in the coming days.
The SCO International Film Festival will run until July 19. Over the course of four days, Cholpon-Ata will host film screenings, professional dialogue, meetings between film industry representatives, and discussions of prospects for international cooperation in cinematography.