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Laman Ismayilova

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In an era, where technology is changing how films are made, mobile cinema is gaining momentum.

One such visionary behind this movement is Ruslan Sabirli, founder of the CINEMO International Mobile Film Festival, which aims to support young talents.

In his interview with AZERNEWS, film director and producer Ruslan Sabirli discusses the exciting trends in mobile content creation, and how the festival plans to grow.

Through the CINEMO International Mobile Film Festival, he aims to build a strong community of filmmakers ready to leave their mark on the history of mobile cinema.

Q: Could you tell us how and when the idea to launch the CINEMO International Mobile Film Festival came about? What are the main goals of the festival and the main criteria for film selection?

A: The idea originated from my first festival-Booktrailer Festival. Participants often asked us to provide them with filming equipment, such as cameras, so they could participate since they could not afford to buy or rent the necessary equipment.

I began to look for ways to help young filmmakers, which led me to the idea of creating a separate nomination for "Mobile Booktrailer". This idea proved successful, resulting in many applications.

After seeing the high demand, I decided to launch a festival for mobile cinema. I founded the CINEMO Mobile Film Festival in 2019, but due to well-known reasons like the pandemic and the war, we were unable to hold it. It was only in 2023 that we were able to conduct the first CINEMO Mobile Film Festival, which has become international.

Q: What new opportunities are opening up for participants with the festival's international status?

A: First of all, it creates great networking opportunities among like-minded individuals, talents and filmmakers. Secondly, it raises the bar for local youth; now they have a benchmark to strive towards. Finally, the winners will receive an international diploma, which is recognized globally. I believe that this is a great chance for young talents to grow, and overall, this festival is essential for the entire country.

Q: Considering that most people today shoot videos on their phones, how do you see the future of mobile cinema? What do you think about the growing interest in mobile cinema, and how is this reflected in your festival?

A: The future is already here! Lots of films, series, and music videos worldwide are being shot on phones. For example, Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez are filming their music videos using mobile phones, which amass hundreds of millions of views.

Moreover, the 56-year-old director Steven Soderbergh made a basketball film called "High Flying Bird," which was bought by Netflix and grossed $64 million.

While we may have lagged a bit, we're quickly catching up! Mobile cinema is now a trend; it's not just about shooting videos for social media.

Mobile phones have several advantages over traditional cameras: they are flexible and compact, and that opens up entirely new perspectives and angles for storytelling.

Q: What do you think is the role of social media in the dissemination and popularization of mobile cinema?

A: Social media plays a significant role in all areas, including mobile cinema. The technology and the idea itself have been revived through social media.

Photos, videos, reels, vlogs, stories, and live streams are all products of mobile phones, which serve as the foundation of mobile cinema. Therefore, they are inseparable.

There is a trend now where series are being filmed specially for social media, with each episode lasting for two minutes. This format caters to the fast-paced consumption habits of audiences, further enhancing the impact and reach of mobile cinema.

Q: What are your future plans for the festival and for mobile cinema in general?

A: Our plans for the festival involve further development, supporting young talents and discovering new creators. Who knows-perhaps one of these aspiring filmmakers will become a world-renowned director and even win an Oscar.

CINEMO International Mobile Film Festival will not stop there; we are also launching courses in mobile cinema and mobile photography to further amplify our support for emerging talents. We truly believe that by providing education and resources, we can nurture the next generation of filmmakers who will continue to innovate in the field of mobile cinema.