National Cinema Day of Azerbaijan (02/08)

Professional holiday of all workers of republican cinema — National Cinema Day of Azerbaijan, celebrated annually on August 2, was established by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev dated December 18, 2000.

This date was not chosen by chance. The fact is that the history of Azerbaijani cinema begins not in 1916, when the film «In the Power of Oil and Millions» appeared on the screen, but much earlier. Although many are accustomed to considering this particular event the beginning of the era of cinema in Azerbaijan, the first «moving films» flashed on the country’s screens already in 1898.

Then, just three years after the invention of this art form by the Lumiere brothers, their «-improved cinema» appeared in Baku when French films were shown to the audience.

The first public film screening of domestic films took place on August 2, 1898. It was organized by photographer A.M. Michonne, who is considered the founder of film production in Azerbaijan. He shot film stories from the life of his native Baku, including: «Fire on Bibi-Eibat», «Oil fountain in the Balakhany-Sabunchu» fishery, «Caucasian dance» and others.

In Soviet times, the ruling Communist Party viewed cinema as the most important element in the ideological education of the country's citizens. And in 1922, the leadership of the Azerbaijan SSR decided to create the first film factory in the Republic, which became the predecessor of today’s film studio «Azerbaijanfilm». A year later, the Azerbaijan Photo and Film Administration (AFKU) was established. Under him, cinemas were opened in subsequent years, and a studio was organized to train national acting and directing personnel.

Today, the national film art and film industry in Azerbaijan are actively developing. Films of both artistic and documentary nature are made. In total, over the years of the existence of Azerbaijani cinema, hundreds of feature films, documentaries and animated films have been shot, a number of which have been awarded prizes at international film festivals.

Let us remind you that International Cinema Day is celebrated on December 28.

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