12th Asian World Film Festival Opens in Los Angeles with Kyrgyzstan’s Oscar Entry Kassandra as Opening Film

LAPost/Culver City, CA (November 12, 2026) — By: Richard Ren/LAPost

Kyrgyzstan’s official submission for the 99th Academy Awards, Kassandra, made its Los Angeles debut Thursday night as the opening film of the 12th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF), marking the first time in the festival’s history that a film from Kyrgyzstan has been selected to launch the event.

The opening ceremony took place at the Culver Theater in Culver City, bringing together filmmakers, diplomats, cultural figures, and entertainment industry guests from across Asia and beyond. Recognized as one of the largest and most influential Asian film festivals in the United States, AWFF has spent 12 years introducing Asian cinema to Hollywood and creating opportunities for international film exchange and collaboration.

Kyrgyzstan’s Oscar Entry Takes Center Stage

Rooted in Kyrgyz folklore, Kassandra explores fear, mysterious experiences, and traditional beliefs through a suspense-driven narrative.

The story follows a grieving woman who repeatedly awakens at night with the sensation of being strangled by an unseen presence. Seeking answers, she turns to a healer, who discovers ominous marks on pregnant women. Her search leads her to the mysterious figure of Albarsty, drawn from an ancient Kyrgyz legend.

Blending psychological suspense with folklore and elements of traditional mysticism, the film explores the boundaries between reality and the unknown, belief and fear.

AWFF Co-Founder and Managing Director Asel Sherniyazova, who is also a producer of Kassandra, said the selection holds particular significance for her. This is the first time in the festival’s 12-year history that a Kyrgyzstan film has served as its opening feature, and the film is also her country’s official submission for the Academy Awards this year.

In an interview, Sherniyazova expressed pride in the production and highlighted fear as the film’s central theme. She hopes the film will introduce international audiences to Kyrgyzstan’s filmmaking and distinctive cultural traditions.

In her opening remarks, Sherniyazova reflected on the festival’s international mission, emphasizing the diversity of countries, regions, cultures, and cinematic traditions represented each year. She said that when filmmakers from different backgrounds meet, the results extend beyond screenings and discussions, often leading to collaborations, friendships, and opportunities that continue long after the festival.

Growing up in Kyrgyzstan, Sherniyazova said she had always dreamed of becoming part of the Hollywood film world. Helping lead an international festival in Los Angeles that brings together filmmakers from around the globe, she described, has become part of her own American dream.

Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador to the United States Attends Opening

Edil Baisalov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Baisalov previously served as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Deputy Prime Minister) of the Kyrgyz Republic. He left that position on April 9, 2026, and was subsequently appointed Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to the United States.

Baisalov said it was a great honor to attend the festival’s opening and witness Kassandra being presented in Los Angeles. He described the city as a historic center of world cinema and Hollywood as a major force in the global film industry.

Reflecting on cinema’s growing place in everyday life, he noted that audiences now spend considerable time watching films and other screen productions. He thanked the festival organizers, sponsors, guests, and the communities of Culver City and Los Angeles for supporting the event, expressing hope that the festival would continue introducing new stars and talented filmmakers to international audiences.

Festival Executive Programming Director Georges N. Chamchoum also spoke about the international standing of Asian cinema. He said some of the best films he had seen over the past decade came from Asia, particularly Kyrgyzstan, and expressed confidence in the selection of Kassandra as the opening film.

Filmmakers, Community Leaders Celebrate Cinema’s Cultural Role

George reflected on AWFF’s 12-year journey, acknowledging the challenges, setbacks, and difficult moments along the way. He credited the commitment of filmmakers, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and longtime supporters for sustaining the event.

He emphasized that the festival belongs to no single country, border, language, or belief, but is open to everyone. At a time of global conflict and uncertainty, he said, cinema offers a different kind of currency: empathy. Films can cross borders that politics cannot, enter hearts that fear has closed, and remind audiences that behind every flag and cultural difference are human stories worth understanding.

Over the past 12 years, AWFF has screened more than 450 films from across Asia that were submitted for Academy Awards or Golden Globe consideration, offering audiences opportunities to encounter a wide range of cultures and perspectives.

Dan O’Brien, former president of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce, mayor, and City Council member, also addressed the gathering. Drawing on his 30-year career as a television and film editor, he said he understood the challenges filmmakers face in securing distribution and bringing their work to audiences across the country and around the world.

O’Brien wished the participating filmmakers success and said Culver City was pleased to host the festival. Referring to the city’s motto, “The Heart of Screenland,” he said the partnership brought together two communities with a shared connection to cinema. He also noted that Culver City now hosts 14 international film festivals.

Snow Leopard Awards Spotlight Asian Cinema

The opening ceremony also introduced the festival’s principal competition, the Snow Leopard Awards, which recognize achievements in Asian filmmaking.

Award categories include Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, the Special Jury Prize, and the Audience Award.

Organizers said the snow leopard, native to the mountains of Asia, represents beauty, strength, and resilience, as well as the importance of protecting what is rare and precious. The award reflects the festival’s focus on the diversity and creative contributions of Asian cinema.

The ceremony also featured a preview of the Asian Vision 2026 program and introduced the films competing for this year’s Snow Leopard Awards.

With Kassandra opening the festival, the 12th Asian World Film Festival moves into a week of screenings and industry exchanges, bringing films and filmmakers from across Asia and other parts of the world to the Los Angeles area.