Hundreds of viewers, including representatives of government and international organizations, students, young filmmakers, and women leaders from the regions, participated in the festival screenings.
The competitive program featured 22 documentary films, including 14 domestic and 8 foreign. Viewers had the opportunity to see works recognized at international festivals, including a film that was nominated for an Oscar.
The Grand Prix of the festival was awarded to the film "Our Land, Our Freedom," made in Kenya, the USA, Portugal, and Germany, directed by Mina Nandi and Zippy Kimundu. This film explores the struggle of indigenous communities in Kenya to reclaim historical land rights, emphasizing that the right to land is fundamental to self-expression, cultural identity, and freedom from colonial legacy.
Best International Film: "Kill the Tiger" (Canada), also nominated for an Oscar.
This work by director Nisha Pahuja tells the story of a brave father in India who stands against the patriarchal norms of his society to protect his daughter's rights. The film highlights the universality of the right to protection from violence and the significance of individual resistance to systemic injustice.
Best National Film: "The Path" (Chyir) (Kyrgyzstan).
Director Aibek Bayimbetov presents an ethnographic documentary about the tradition of the Kyrgyz epic "Manas" through the image of Kulmat, a manaschi from the Talas region. The film reveals the sacred aspect of performing the epic and emphasizes the importance of gender equality in contemporary storytelling art.
Special Jury Prize: "Medikha" (USA, Iraq).
Director Hasan Oswald showcases the personal diary of a young Yazidi woman recovering from captivity by ISIS, which testifies to the right to recovery and the pursuit of international justice.
Best Film on Gender Equality: "Kickoff" (Spain, Italy).
This documentary work, directed by Stefano Obino and Roser Corella, tells the story of women from the village of Kek-Tash who find their voice and challenge gender stereotypes through football. The film illustrates how sports help them gain strength and confidence.
Best Film on Social, Labor, and Economic Rights: "What About Petya?" (Martin Trabalika, Czech Republic).
The film shows how a father, becoming the sole guardian of two teenagers, one of whom suffers from severe autism, struggles to maintain the family and financial stability in conditions of vulnerability.
Best Film on Environmental Rights: "I Am the River, the River Is Me" (Peter Lom, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand).
This film tells the story of a Māori river guardian of the Whanganui River, who explores the rights of nature and the spiritual connection between humans and the environment.
Nomination "Breakthrough": "Are We Home" (Sh. Mirakova and D. Gusmanova, Uzbekistan/Kazakhstan; a study of the rights of Roma communities in Central Asia) and "Children of the Mountains" (G. Abdykamilova, Kyrgyzstan; a film about the lives of elementary school students striving for education).
Nomination "Ulan Ulan'syn": "Dogs" (A. Toktogulova and K. Janishov, Kyrgyzstan).
The film tells the story of a woman who has dedicated her life to caring for stray dogs, raising important themes of compassion and responsibility towards those who cannot protect themselves.
It should be noted that experts from the International Federation for Human Rights were unable to enter Kyrgyzstan to participate in the festival as they were deported without explanation. In 2026, the "Bir Duyno Kyrgyzstan" team will continue its work in defense of justice.
