Baku (Azerbaijan) is set to host the first-ever International Animation Festival of the Turkic World (ATA Festival) on October 2-4, 2024.
Organized by the Association of Turkic Animation (ATA) and TURKSOY, with organizational support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and held within the framework of the
Baku Cinema Breeze (BCB) Festival, the event aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and cultural exchange through the art of animation across Turkic-speaking countries. As part of BCB festival, the OMArket (Orient countries Cinema Market) will be organized, to showcase opportunities within the film industry.
Several events of the ATA Festival will be organized in collaboration with the 7th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival.
Festival Aims:
• Promote Turkic animation globally: The ATA Festival will present the finest animation works from Turkic-speaking nations, showcasing their rich narratives to a worldwide audience.
• Foster collaboration and innovation: By uniting animators, producers, and storytellers, the festival will encourage co-productions and joint projects across the region.
• Preserve and share cultural heritage: The festival aims to protect and promote the unique cultural traditions and stories of Turkic nations through the medium of animation.
• Support emerging talent: The event will provide a platform for up-and-coming animators to present their work, exchange ideas, and gain international exposure.
ATA Festival Program
Day 1: October 2, 2024
• 11:00 - 13:00: Masterclass by Dmitry Vysotsky and Oktai Iusibov: "Creating Animated Series for the International Market." Address: YARADICI. 29 Mehdi Mehdizadeh Street
• 14:00: TURSKOY - Cinema industry of Turkic Countries. Address: Heydar Aliyev Center
• 16:00: Presentation of Association of Turkic Animation (ATA). Address: Heydar Aliyev Center
• 18:00: Networking Coctail. Address: Heydar Aliyev Center
• 19:00: BCB and ATA Festival opening ceremonies. A special award presentation for contributions to Turkic animation. Address: Heydar Aliyev Center
• 21:00: BCB - Afterparty
Day 2: October 3, 2024
• 10:00: Opening of OMArket. Address: Heydar Aliyev Center
• 11:00: Governmental session (Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Economy, TURKSOY)
• 14:00 - 16:00: Roundtable Discussion on "The Animation Industry in Turkic Countries". Address: Heydar Aliyev Center
• 17:00 - 19:00: Joint Screening: “ATA: Best of Turkic Animation” in collaboration with the ANIMAFILM Festival. This special screening will showcase a selection of the finest animated works from Turkic-speaking countries. Tickets for this screening are available here. Address: Azerbaijan Cinema Theatre
Day 3: October 4, 2024
11:30 - OMArket - Industry driver: festivals, streaming platforms, co-production, distribution
12:00 - 14:00: ANIMAFILM School: Co-production Talk. Joined event with ANIMAFILM Festival. Matthew Lyon, Iouri Stepanov (Lakeside Animation studio, Canada), co-production of “Red Iron Road”. Tickets for this event are available here. Address: Azerbaijan Cinema Theatre
19:30 – 21:30: 'Red Iron Road' Movie. Joined event with ANIMAFILM Festival. Tickets for this screening are available here. Address: Azerbaijan Cinema Theatre
Accompanying Event:
The festival will also feature a unique photo exhibition titled "Turkic World: Animated Images", which will display storyboards, character sketches, and backgrounds from classic animated films across Turkic nations. This exhibit offers a rare chance to dive into the rich legacy of Turkic animation and serves as inspiration for filmmakers and animators alike.Curator: Ivan Ardashov
Special Guests
The festival will host notable animation professionals such as:
Oktai Iusibov (Azerbaijan / Finland) – Head of ATA, Co-owner of Alove Animation Studio (Azerbaijan), Plastilin Studio (Finland)
Kairat Mukanov (Kazakhstan) - member of ATA, Chief Advisor to the Secretary General of TURKSOY
Rashid Aghamaliyev (Azerbaijan / Czech Republic) – member of ATA, Chairman of Azerbaijan Animation Association, Director of ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival, CEO of ANIMAFILM Studio
Gurban Masimov (Azerbaijan) - member of ATA, Director, Actor, Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Anita Chernykh (Kazakhstan) - member of ATA, Art Director of Tartaria Animation, Director of Almaty Animation Festival, CEO of ReAnmation Studio
Salimgali Mirzashev (Kazakhstan) - member of ATA, Director, Honored Worker of Culture of Kazakhstan
Tolkun Daiyrbekova (Kyrgyzstan) - member of ATA, Producer
Aibek Daiyrbekov (Kyrgyzstan) - member of ATA, Producer, director
Pavel Kim (Uzbekistan) - member of ATA, CEO of DIP Animation
Maira Karsakbayeva (Kazakhstan) – TURKSOY representative
Berat Ilk (Turkey) – Producer, director, head of Canlandıranlar Festival, head of ASIFA-Türkiye
Iouri Stepanov (Canada) – CEO of Lakeside Animation Studio
Pavel Dubar (Canada) - Technical Director, Lakeside Animation Studio
Konstantin Bronzit (Russia) - director
Dmitri Visotski (Finland / Israil) – screenwriter, director
Mikhail Shmelyov (Finland), CEO AR-Go lab
Michael Averbach (USA)
About ATA:
Founded in 2024, the Association of Turkic Animation (ATA) unites animators from Turkic-speaking countries to foster collaboration, innovation, and preserve cultural heritage through animation. ATA supports co-productions, training programs, and market access opportunities to help elevate the Turkic animation industry and bring its unique stories to global audiences.
Join the Celebration:
The International Animation Festival of the Turkic World promises to be a landmark event, offering masterclasses, industry discussions, and screenings that will foster collaboration and innovation in the world of animation. The festival is open to everyone with an interest in animation, culture, and storytelling.
For more information, visit:
• TURKSOY: www.turksoy.org
• Association of Turkic Animation (ATA): www.atanimation.org
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