Kazan: The management of the Golden Pulpit International Film Festival has announced that Oscar-winning British director Danny Boyle will serve as the president of the jury for the festival's 21st edition. The festival, set to take place from September 5 to 9 at the newly inaugurated Kamal Theatre, saw submissions from 845 films spanning 67 countries. These submissions included a diverse array of cinematic works such as feature films, short films, documentaries, and animated films.

According to Union of OIC News Agencies, Danny Boyle, renowned for directing the critically acclaimed film "Slumdog Millionaire," which garnered multiple Academy Awards, including Best Director, brings a significant contribution to the festival. Milosha Aitoganova, the executive director of the festival and president of the Tatarkino Foundation, emphasized that Boyle's involvement as the head of the jury adds considerable value to the event. This year, the festival is experiencing a significant level of participation from filmmakers across various continents.

The selection committee made a concerted effort to choose films that reflect the interests and aspirations of the audience. Timur Shaykhullin, Head of the Department of Philology and Regional Studies at the Russian Islamic Institute, highlighted the committee's dedication to evaluating films from the audience's perspective. He stressed the importance of engaging with public taste while maintaining artistic integrity.

Established in 2005, the Golden Pulpit Festival serves as a platform to support film productions that advocate for peace, justice, and goodness, irrespective of the creators' religious or cultural backgrounds. The festival continues its collaboration with the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, which will present special awards to works produced in OIC countries as part of a focused program.