Kalistani Major History

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First edition of Kaliburg Film Festival held for almost a century
Support from the Academy, Kalistani government and several industry figures allows historic festival to flourish once again in Ananto
28 April 4681


The historic Kaliburg Film Festival concluded overnight in the Kalistani capital city following its first edition since 4592. Films from across the globe were in competition for the festival's top prize, the Golden Mantis, and individuals from all aspects of the filmmaking process, as well as critics and members of the public, were in attendance. The Kaliburg festival is the first of an expanded range of film festivals taking place this year in order to mark the 2500th anniversary of the foundation of the International Motion Picture Academy and was able to take place thanks to backing from the Kalistani government and others.

Between 3881 and 4107, the Kaliburg festival was held in high regard alongside the three major IMPA-supported festivals held in Valois, Rittersheim and Kaizhou. Kaliburg juries and audiences had a reputation for rewarding alternative and genre films in a manner not typical of the other three festivals and a particularly memorable period for the festival was the "Golden Age of Horror". For seven consecutive years beginning in 3923, the festival's top prize was awarded to a horror film despite none of the other three festivals rewarding these films.



Above: Tang Zhenya received the Best Actress award for her first feature film appearance following a successful television career as the title character in Wuying


The relationship between Kaliburg and the horror genre is even reflected in the prize given to the best film in competition. The Golden Mantis is based on 3450 horror classic Mantis, in which a giant mantis brings terror to the Kalistani island of Ananto. Although it struggled to make back its budget, the film gained a cult following in the decades after its release and has been recognised by critics and film historians as a seminal film in the genre for the way it uses special effects and the manner in which it reflects societal concerns present at the time.

Over two hundred films were available for audiences across the festival's nine day programme. On top of the numerous film screened as part of the main competition, there were a variety of out of competition and special screenings including some classic films from across the festival's history. In characteristic fashion, both the Golden Mantis and the Audience Award were given to Kyo horror-thriller Terror.... Written and directed by veteran filmmaker Pae Pyong-ho, the film marks his return to Kyomal-language filmmaking for the first time in over three decades, having spend a significant period of his life living and working primarily in Hutori.

Acting awards were presented to Indralan newcomer Tang Zhenya for her role in satirical comedy Countdown to Deployment and Kalistan-native J. Fletcher Compton for his starring role in crime drama Streets of Sulari, which he was also responsible for writing and producing. In an interesting coincidence Dorvish director Jakob Tischner received a lifetime achievement award on the same day that his granddaughter Ann-Katrin Schütz won the competitive directing award for her second feature film Friedrich and I.

Following the success of the Kaliburg festival, the International Motion Picture Academy turns its attention to the rest of the year's programme of events. In addition to the annual festivals in Lourenne, Dundorf and Indrala, the Academy has organised three further events to be held in Istapali, Vanuku and Egelion as part of their anniversary celebrations. Capping off these celebrations are the annual Academy Awards to be held next January, which will feature an expanded selection of awards to recognise the most influential films and figures over the two and half millennia that the Academy has existed.

The International Motion Picture Academy is an international organisation dedicated to recognising and promoting quality in the art of motion pictures.