Elmar Bayramov, an Azerbaijani director based in the United States, received the Special Jury Award for his short film “Breath” (Nefes) at the 2nd International Turan Film Festival in Izmir, Turkey. The festival, which aims to promote the culture and cinema of the Turkic world, accepted 1,675 submissions from 80 countries. Among the entries, Azerbaijan submitted 32 films, Turkey 324, Kazakhstan 17, Uzbekistan 13, Turkmenistan 10, and Kyrgyzstan 7.
A total of 10 different categories were awarded, and films contributing to the promotion of Turkic culture were celebrated. “Breath” (Nefes) was specially selected by the jury for its poetic treatment of profound themes, such as the continuity of the human spirit and the power of memory. The film is dedicated to those who were captured during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War and explores the long-lasting psychological and emotional effects of war, especially the struggles of reintegrating into society post-conflict.
Filmed in Azerbaijan,“Breath” (Nefes) was produced through a collaboration between Old Stone Pictures, Black Garden Company, and the Azerbaijan Diaspora Support Fund.
The festival also included three exhibitions and eight special events, with films from the Turkic world honored across various categories. The Special Jury Award for “Breath” was given for its deep thematic exploration and poetic narrative.
In 2023, with support from the State Committee for Diaspora Affairs and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, “Breath” had premieres in New York and Boston. The film continues to make a significant contribution to raising awareness of Azerbaijani culture and cinema internationally.
Elmar Bayramov’s “Breath” (Nefes) has been highly praised for its powerful portrayal of war’s lingering effects on both individuals and society, earning recognition within both Azerbaijani and international film communities.
