An Azerbaijani film has been awarded the top honor at the Astana Eco Film Festival, held as part of the international green technologies and sustainable solutions exhibition RES 2026 EXPO in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The festival took place within the Regional Environmental Summit 2026, bringing together filmmakers, experts, and environmental advocates from across the region, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

The award for outstanding contribution to environmental cinema went to director Seyran Mahmudoglu for his Azerbaijani film “Kura - Mother of Rivers,” highlighting ecological issues and the importance of water resources.

Another major award in the category of Best Short Environmental Film was given to “Earth and Moon,” a joint production between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, directed by Pavel Kim.

Alongside the film festival, the event also featured the Green Runway Fashion Show, showcasing collections from leading designers across Central Asia and Azerbaijan. The designs blended traditional motifs with modern sustainable fashion trends.

Experts participating in the forum also discussed urgent environmental challenges, including efforts to address the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea basin and its social and economic impacts.