International Film Event, Alternativa, to Display a Variety of Global Movies and Facilitate Discussions on Societal Issues in Almaty
From August 14 to 21, 2025, Almaty, Kazakhstan, played host to the Alternativa Film Days, a vibrant and thought-provoking event held at ARTiSHOK Theater and Almaty Creative Hub. The festival was supported by inDrive.
A Rich Cinematic Journey
The festival featured 27 films from Asia and Latin America, showcasing award-winning works from countries like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Mexico, and Colombia. Notable among the Kazakhstan screenings was "Madina" by Aizhan Kassymbek, while "The Gift" by Dalmira Tilepbergen represented the Kyrgyz Republic. The opening film was "White Crow" from India, the winner of the 2024 Alternativa Film Festival Grand Prix.
Inspiring Speakers and Discussions
The event attracted a host of notable figures, including TEDx speaker and entrepreneur Roza Ashirbayeva, actress and social activist Ainur Ilyassova, podcast producer Ainel Amirkhan, journalist Zarina Akhmatova, lawyer Zhanna Urazbakhova, psychologist Madina Magauya, and environmentalist Dmitry Kalmykov.
The discussions focused on topics such as women’s rights, child welfare, media freedom, and mental health. Cinema's role in driving social change was explored through the regional Go Viral program. A new format was introduced, aiming to move audiences from emotional response to concrete action, with opportunities for volunteering, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns.
Additional Initiatives
The Alternativa Film Days also offered media literacy training by Factcheck.kz and environmental advocacy by Karagandy’s EcoMuseum. Anti-bullying programs were provided by the Just Support Foundation.
All events were free with prior registration, making it accessible for everyone interested in attending. The 2026 festival will be hosted by Colombia, promising another exciting edition of this enlightening event.
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