21 September 2026
(PHOTO: mezha.net)
The film "Etched in Memory" by American director Christina Pashinwon at the first International Crimean Film Festival in Istanbul. The film was named Best Documentary following the competition screenings.
This was reported by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center.
The film tells the story of the Crimean Tatars and their struggle against Russian occupation through the personal stories of human rights activists, military personnel, and victims of repression. One of the film’s themes is the human rights activism of Eskander Bariev. The film also depicts the story of Nariman Dzhelal, who was released from Russian captivity, the fate of Leyla Ibragimova, director of the Melitopol Local History Museum, who was abducted by the occupiers from her own home; and the story of Crimean Tatar soldier Seiran Kadyrov, who died fighting for Ukraine.
A special focus of the film is the tragedy of 17-year-old Emir Belyalov, who became one of the first victims of the full-scale invasion. The young man was killed when a rocket struck his family’s home in the village of Semykhatka in the Henichesk district.
The First International Crimean Film Festival took place on September 17–19 in Istanbul and was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Crimean Tatar cinema. Eight finalist films competed for the top prize in the festival’s documentary competition program. The festival’s main goal was to highlight the history, culture, and struggle of the Crimean Tatar people, as well as to draw the international community’s attention to the occupation of Crimea.
This marks the second victory for the film“Etched in Memory” at the 1st International Crimean Film Festival, which took place September 17–19 in Istanbul. The film also received the award for Best International Film.
Юлія Калабайда
Nov. 1, 2026
In Crimea, 1,000 college spots were allocated to participants in the war against Ukraine