From December 12 to 16, 2025, the 19th International Festival “Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan” was held in Bishkek, co-organized by the Ombudsman Institute of the Kyrgyz Republic. This is the only human rights film forum in Central Asia, which has become a key platform for promoting fundamental freedoms and human rights through the innovative format “Human Rights through Art.” The festival was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the UN and timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, a historic document that laid the foundation for international security through respect for human rights, including the Helsinki+50 founding documents.

The festival program opened with a screening of The Mandate by Swiss director and international law expert Stefan Ziegler. The film is a critical analysis of the activities of global institutions (the UN, the Red Cross). Through the prism of the author's eight years of personal experience, the film asks a fundamental question: how can international mandates for the protection of human rights remain effective and accountable in the context of modern conflicts, when human dignity is under threat.

The format of the Bir Duino 2025 festival is an exchange of experience and best practices in overcoming various crises, where international partners of the festival and experts shared their experiences, such as Gulzakhon Amanova, independent expert on international law and human rights, researcher, Doctor of Law, Uzbekistan, Cornelia Cozonac, president and one of the founders of the Center for Investigative Journalism, Moldova, Kirill Koroteev, international lawyer and human rights expert, Andras Lederer, head of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Janet Akhilgova, consultant for the international non-governmental human rights organization for women's rights “Equality Now,” Nurzhamal Idinova, representative of the Shyrak organization, Kazakhstan, Shnar Nauryzbayeva, founder and director of the JANA SANA public foundation, Kazakhstan, and Malika Dodoeva, director of the Javononi Peshsaf public organization, Tajikistan.

It is important to note the delegation from Uzbekistan, the team from the Uzbekistan Film Lovers Association, project manager Christian Gessl, Rusudan Akhmedova, and well-known creative personalities Oleg Karpov and Umida Akhmedova, who made a significant contribution. 

Master classes and workshops were held on thematic blocks, where issues of climate security, civil and political rights, social, economic, and cultural rights, the role of local citizens in decision-making processes at all levels of government, the activities of independent media, journalists, human rights defenders during crises and disasters, children's rights, gender equality, and key tools for combating discrimination and systemic impunity. 

A special place in the program of the Bir Duino International Festival was given to unique discussion laboratories, which became an expert platform for open and meaningful dialogue between representatives of civil society, government, international organizations, and independent experts.

As part of one of the key laboratories analyzing the situation with civil space, Yevgeny Shatsky, coordinator of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia, presented an analytical report on the impact of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Non-Profit Organizations” on the development of civil society in the country. The OHCHR study aims to develop a fact-based understanding of the impact of the so-called “Law on Foreign Representatives,” adopted in April 2024, on the activities of civil society organizations, their sustainability, participation in public life, and compliance with the principle of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda – “leave no one behind”.

International experts included in the draft Civic Space programme also spoke at the discussion laboratory “Civic Space in Central Asia: Analysis of Consequences and Prospects in Conditions of Crises and Disasters”. In particular, András Lederer, head of advocacy at the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, presented the experience of human rights organizations working in conditions of shrinking civic space in Eastern European countries; Kirill Koroteev, an international lawyer, highlighted the judicial practice and strategic cases of the Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan team in defending freedom of peaceful assembly and association, while Gulzakhon Amanova, an international legal expert, presented a comparative analysis of access to justice and freedom of association using the example of Uzbekistan.

A separate important focus of the Festival was the successful discussion workshops on promoting the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, implemented jointly with the international association Forum Asia with the involvement of the Ombudsman Institute, the International Business Council, the Ministry of Economy, the State Agency for State Property Management, and local community activists living in risk and disaster areas to develop joint action plans to reduce disaster risks based on the View from the Frontline research methodology in partnership with the Global Network on Risk and Disaster (GNDR), as well as a laboratory on the right to decent work, organized in partnership with the Labor Rights Monitoring Mission in Central Asia. The expert platforms contributed to the development of practical recommendations on ensuring corporate responsibility, protecting labor rights, and strengthening social guarantees in the context of global crises and socio-economic transformations.

On December 16, the final day of the festival, a packed expert program took place with the participation of representatives of civil society and international organizations from Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Participants discussed the use of UN mechanisms—CEDAW, the Optional Protocol, the UPR, and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace, and Security” — to protect women's rights and promote gender equality, and shared practical experiences of working with vulnerable groups, including women with disabilities and female returnees. Particular attention was paid to barriers to access to justice, the narrowing of civic space, the lack of information and sustainable legal support, and the need to strengthen the capacity of NGOs and regional cooperation. The day ended with a session on youth leadership and advocacy with experts from Morocco, where civil society's experience in promoting reforms to the Family Code was presented: through training, campaigns, and leadership development for young activists, Moroccan organizations are working to bring national legislation closer to international human rights standards, demonstrating the important role of young people in combating gender discrimination and promoting systemic legal change.

The festival screenings, with audience discussions, took place from December 13 to 15 in the Flutter Hall of the Technopark and were attended by hundreds of viewers from government, international, and non-governmental organizations, residents and guests of the capital, students and young filmmakers, as well as women leaders from Issyk-Kul, Osh, Jalalabad, and Batken regions. An inclusive platform was organized for discussing the films, providing an opportunity for anyone, regardless of their nationality, social status, age, or religion, to engage in a discussion about justice, good governance, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

The 2025 Festival program presented viewers with the most striking documentaries, winners of international festivals, including an Oscar-nominated film. The festival's competition program included 22 documentaries: 14 national and 8 foreign films. 

On December 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in Bishkek, a solemn closing ceremony and awarding of winners in six main categories took place at the Technopark. 

The winners were awarded unique prizes from the Bir Duino_Kyrgyzstan festival: a diploma and an Umai Ene statuette. 

Seven jury members, consisting of representatives of Kyrgyz documentary cinema and international human rights experts, evaluated the films according to criteria such as content reflecting the theme of the 2023 Festival, depth and completeness of coverage of the theme of human rights and freedoms, originality of the plot, as well as directing and cinematography. The festival program was divided into two key areas, each with its own mission: Main program: Includes works by recognized masters of world and national documentary cinema. Breakthrough Program: A special platform for young directors and debutants. Here, young people are ready to talk about human rights without censorship, using sincerity as their main tool.

WINNERS Fest-2025:

Grand Prix: “Our Land, Our Freedom” (Kenya, USA, Portugal, Germany)

Directors: Mina Nandi and Zippy Kimundo.

Synopsis: A large-scale study of the struggle of Kenya's indigenous communities to restore their historical land rights. The film demonstrates that the right to land is not just an economic asset, but also an indispensable condition for the realization of the right to self-determination, cultural identity, and freedom from colonial heritage.

Best International Film: Tiger Kill (Canada), Oscar nominee

Director: Nisha Pahujha.

Synopsis: A story of unprecedented courage of a father in India who takes on the centuries-old patriarchal norms of his community in the pursuit of justice for his daughter. The film highlights the universality of the right to protection from violence and the importance of individual resistance to systemic injustice.

Best National Film: The Way (Chyyr) (Kyrgyzstan)

Director: Aibek Bayymbetov.

Synopsis:

This ethnographic documentary explores the living oral tradition of the Kyrgyz epic Manas through the character of Kulmat, a manaschi from the Talas region. Following his personal journey to becoming a storyteller, the film reveals the sacred nature of performing the epic as a gift (kasiet), as well as the responsibility for preserving and transmitting the spiritual memory of the people. Special attention is paid to the theme of gender equality in contemporary storytelling, the role of women and young people in mastering the epic and rethinking tradition. Through Kulmat's work with a new generation of storytellers, the film shows the dialogue between tradition and modernity, the continuity of generations, and storytelling as a form of cultural and gender self-determination.

Special Jury Prize: Mediha (USA, Iraq)

Director: Hassan Oswald.

Synopsis: A poignant personal diary of a young Yazidi woman returning to life after captivity by ISIS. It is a powerful testimony to the right to rehabilitation and the desire of victims of crimes against humanity for international justice.

Best Film on Gender Equality: Kickoff (Spain, Italy)

Directors: Stefano Obino and Roser Corella.

This documentary tells the story of women from the village of Kök-Tash who find their voice through soccer and challenge established gender stereotypes. Training and participating in competitions become a space for them to gain strength, confidence, and solidarity, as well as a tool for social change. This is a story of resistance and mutual support, showing how a simple sport can become a way to defend rights, overcome social pressure, and inspire personal and collective transformation. Best Film on Social, Labor, and Economic Rights: “What About Petya?” (Martin Trabálika, Czech Republic).

After the sudden death of his wife, a father remains the sole guardian of two teenagers, one of whom has severe autism. The film shows the daily struggle to preserve the family, care, financial stability, and human dignity in conditions of social vulnerability.

Best Film on Environmental Rights — I Am the River, the River Is Me (Peter Lom, Netherlands/Norway/New Zealand)

A Maori guardian of the Whanganui River embarks on a journey along the sacred river, which is recognized as a legal entity. The film explores the rights of nature, the spiritual connection between humans and the environment, and the global movement to protect the planet. Breakthrough Nomination: Are We at Home? (Sh. Mirakova and D. Gusmanova — Uzbekistan/Kazakhstan) explores the rights and identity of Roma communities in Central Asia. 

and Children of the Mountains (G. Abdykamilova, Kyrgyzstan). The film shows a day in the life of elementary school students striving to get an education. Their efforts highlight the stark contrast in opportunities between remote villages and urban conditions. Thanks to a teacher who sincerely loves his profession and children, the true fate of these kids, who strive to overcome mountains and enter the big world, is revealed. 

Nomination “Ulan ulansyn”: “Dogs” (A. Toktogulova and K. Zhanyshov, Kyrgyzstan). The film tells the story of a woman who has dedicated her life to caring for stray dogs, and through her story reveals themes of compassion, loneliness, and human responsibility towards those who cannot protect themselves.

Innovative Laboratories:

The closing ceremony presented the results of six innovative labs held as part of the 2025 Festival:

“A Safe Information Environment in Times of Crisis: Countering Propaganda and Manipulation,” “Promoting Human Rights through Art and Documentary Films,” “Equality in Action: International and National Strategies for Protection in the Workplace,” 

“Realization of Fundamental Labor Rights in Central Asia,” 

“The Shrinking Civic Space: Analysis of Consequences and Prospects in Conditions of Crisis and Disaster,” 

"Using UN Mechanisms to Protect Women's Rights and Promote Gender Equality. Youth Leadership and Advocacy (the experience of Morocco).

The performance by the Japanese group Komuz Samurai was one of the most emotional moments of the evening. The group was formed by enthusiasts for whom playing the komuz has become a deep hobby. The main goal of Komuz Samurai is to share the charm of Kyrgyz folk music and contribute to strengthening friendship between Kyrgyzstan and Japan.

Partnership network of solidarity and partnership:

The Bir Duino Film Festival is held in collaboration with the networks FIDH, Sigrid Rausing Trust, Movies That Matter, Forum-Asia, WLP (Women Learning Partnership), the European Union in the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations in the Kyrgyz Republic, the UN OHCHR, the French Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, the German Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, the EU in the Kyrgyz Republic, Equality Now, Move Green, the Labor Rights Monitoring Mission in Central Asia, as well as with the support of partners from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, local activists from the regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the festival's wonderful team of volunteers.

Discussions on pressing issues related to the human rights situation in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Central Asian region Solidarity, dialogues, and platforms for pluralism with an innovative format, “Human Rights through Art,” “Human Rights through Art” brought everyone together at the festival. New strategies with inclusive methodologies for positive change through art and human rights were created for joint activities in the region and at the global level, including advocacy and action plans for the next three years. 

The Festival Organizing Committee is preparing a final catalog with key recommendations for decision-makers and will send it to everyone soon. 

The Festival-2025 Organizing Committee would like to thank the audience, documentary filmmakers and human rights experts, young people, numerous volunteers, international and national partners, and those who provided technical and financial support to Festival-2025. 

The Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan Documentary Film Festival is a broad platform for engagement and equal participation in the discussion of various topics related to human rights and freedoms, with the aim of opening up new opportunities and equal partnerships for positive change from the local to the global level in times of crisis.

From the first day of the Festival, experts from the International Federation for Human Rights were not allowed to enter Kyrgyzstan to participate in a discussion laboratory on civil space, and they were deported without explanation. In 2026, the Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan team will continue to fight for justice. 

TOGETHER for dignity, freedom, and justice for all!

Organizing Committee of the 2025 Festival

Website: www.birduino.kg

For all questions, please contact the Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan team: birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com and tel.: +996 (501) 156-390