Every year, One World gives viewers and international partners new impulses and stories thanks to the generous support of partners from the public sector, the President of the Czech Republic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Minister of Culture, Mayor of Prague, Chairman of the Parliament's Chamber of Deputies, Rectors of leading universities of the Czech Republic[1], as well as partners from the private sector. This support is an important gesture of trust not only to the main ideas of the festival, but also to a healthy civil society in a broader sense.

The team of the International Festival of Documentary Films on Human Rights "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan", including Director Tolekan Ismailova and the Festival Coordinator Nakinai Aidakeeva, took part in the international Human Rights Documentary Film Festival "One World" ("Jeden Svet") in Prague, which was held from 20 to 29 March, 2024. Today, One World is the largest festival in the world. Every year, it brings together dozens of guests from all over the world - not only filmmakers, as well as heroes and human rights activists. Discussions with them are one of the pillars of the program. The festival also includes debates, master classes, immersive films (VR) Virtual Reality Films and creative meetings with sister organizations. This year, 100 films participated in the festival competition program[2], among which the Grand Prix of the festival was won by the film "Life is Beautiful" directed by Mohamed Jobali, Norway, Palesitna, 2023[3]. 

The Organizing Committee of "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan" thanks the sister organization "Jeden Svet" in Prague for the opportunity to participate, for partnership and application of festival innovative approaches that our organization plans to introduce while holding the international festival in Kyrgyzstan. The key event was the screening of the only documentary film of Central Asia "Bride Kidnapping", filmed in Kyrgyzstan, directed by Mirlan Abdykalykov, with expert support provided by representatives of Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan and journalists from Radio Azattyk. Jazgul Ibraimova, media expert, noted the importance of changing the title of the film: "Not Bride Kidnapping”, Human Kidnapping or Crime against Women", in order to eliminate traditional stereotypes and other behavioral aspects that have become the norm in Kyrgyz society. The use of the same term "ala kachuu" for both the voluntary union of a man and a woman and forced abduction leads to confusion. Due to this, citizens and law enforcement officials can be more tolerant of actual cases of crime against women.

The deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of the KR Kubanychbek Samakov proposes amendments to the law on kidnapping. The draft law has been published on the website of the Jogorku Kenesh for public discussion[4]. In the current version of article 172 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, which establishes responsibility for the abduction of a woman or an underage girl for the purpose of forcing her into marriage, the term "adamdy ala kachuu" ("abduction for the purpose of marriage") is used. The deputy proposes to replace it with the term "adamdy uurdoo" ("human kidnapping"). The deputy notes that different formulations prevent society from adequately perceiving such a problem as the abduction of women or girls. "The concept of "ala kachuu" has a more neutral meaning for many people. Because, along with forced abductions, the so-called ala kachuu (abduction for the purpose of marriage) are common in Kyrgyzstan," the deputy notes[5].

The purpose of this trip was to share and explore new experiences in the format of Human Rights through Art and Culture including learning about innovative tools and methods, to watch and select documentaries on human rights for Fest-2024, to strengthen and expand the partner network and cooperation.

During meetings with leading filmmakers, documentarians and experts from different countries, the Bir Duino Fest-2024 team informed them about the dates and the beginning of accepting applications for participation in the KR festival, shared their experience in conducting documentary film festivals since 2007, and participated in round tables held by the sister organization "One World" and the Documentary Film Institute.

This year, the East Doc Platform (EDP) of the Documentary Film Institute, the largest platform for co-production, financing and distribution of documentaries in Central and Eastern Europe, which unites Eastern European filmmakers and decision makers from all over the world - producers, broadcasters, distributors and festival organizers, became an innovative discovery and partner of the One World Festival.[6] The Documentary Film Institute held a number of events in which the Bir Duino team took an active part and plans to apply the experience of this forum in the future:

• East Doc Forum is a leading opportunity for financing and co-production of projects at the development/early production stage. This includes both feature documentaries and TV series on various subjects. 
• East Doc Market - offers organized meetings between filmmakers and decision makers to present projects at the development/production/post-production stage. 
• East silver is a unique film market of finished films and rough cuts.

The International Festival "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan" is the "sister organization" of the Czech Human Rights Documentary Film Festival "Jeden Svet", one of the leading festivals in Europe. In Central Asia, our festival is the only documentary film festival on human rights. It is held at the international level, with the participation of representatives of the government, international and civil society, experts and filmmakers, cultural and art figures, the media, human rights defenders and just film lovers.

"Our goal is to promote human rights and freedoms through culture and art, through documentary films. Using the example of real stories, viewers have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the existing socio-economic and political problems in the world."

In 2024, the Festival will be held in Kyrgyzstan from 22 to 26 October, and will be dedicated to the theme "For a Just World, for Freedoms and Equal Rights of Citizens". It will be held jointly with sister organizations: One World, East Doc CA platform, Karama Human Rights Film Festival Jordan, Anhar Network, Human Screen Festival Tunissa et al.  The PA “Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan” appeals to all interested documentarians, partners, directors and volunteers to take an active part in the 2024 Festival.

Applications for participation in the festival are accepted from 3 April to 30 May, 2024. To apply, please, fill out an application form, which can be obtained on the website: www.birduino.kg, in the section Festival-2024.

Should you have any questions, please, contact us via e-mail: birduino.festival@gmail.com or by phone: +996 500626221, Nakinai Aidakeeva.