“Father’s Legacy,” a film by Turkmen director Rahymberdi Annagulyyev, took first place in the Interstate Television Film Competition of CIS Member States, “Flight of the Steed: Strength and Grace.” The award ceremony was held Oct. 8 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone, official Turkmen media reported.
The film “Golden Horses of Karabakh” by Azerbaijani director and screenwriter Mirsadig Agazade took second place, while Kazakhstan’s “Eva – Batyr Kyz,” directed by Temirbek Amanzhol, came in third.
The Turkmen film received 5,000 for second place, and the Kazakh film received $`3,000 for third place. The creators of all three films also received statuettes and honorary diplomas.
The grand prize in the “Best Television Film” category went to the Russian film “The Akhal-Teke Horse – A National Treasure,” directed by Robert Frantsev. The award included a special commemorative statuette symbolizing the competition, an honorary diploma and a `$10,000 cash prize from the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship.
The jury’s special prize went to “The Largest in Central Asia – Alaman,” directed by Nursultan Kadyrkul Uulu of Kyrgyzstan. The winner received a statuette, a competition diploma and a television. Other participating directors also received televisions.
Turkmenistan established the competition as part of its 2026 CIS chairmanship, dedicating it to Akhal-Teke horses.
A news conference on the development of television and cinema was held in Avaza the same day. Participants expressed interest in exchanging television and information materials, implementing joint projects and expanding professional contacts among journalists and industry specialists.
