bp today presented a four volume encyclopaedia of Azerbaijan’s cinematography, which the company has proudly sponsored.
Titled “The Cinema of Azerbaijan – A Concise Encyclopaedia,” the publication offers the most comprehensive encyclopaedic overview to date of the development of cinema in Azerbaijan, covering the period from 1898 to 2025.
Authored by renowned film researcher Aydın Kazımzade, this scholarly work provides an in depth study of the history and evolution of national cinematography. Drawing on extensive archival research, the encyclopaedia documents films, filmmakers, studios and the broader cultural environment that shaped the emergence and growth of cinema in Azerbaijan.
The research spans the filmography of all types of films produced from 1898 to 2025 at the Jafar Jabbarli “Azerbaijanfilm” studio, as well as at other studios, film companies and television channels. The volumes encompass full length and short feature films, television films, animated productions and the satirical “Mozalan” films created between 1898 and 2018.
While the first two volumes provide a full encyclopaedic account of the history of Azerbaijan’s cinema, the remaining volumes present an “Alphabetical Index of Feature and Animated Films” and an “Index of Film Directors.”
The encyclopaedia also includes rare photographs sourced from the personal archives of the author, early cinema professionals and other individuals who contributed to the development of the film industry over various periods. Additional materials come from the archive department of the Jafar Jabbarli “Azerbaijanfilm” Studio and the Azerbaijan State Film Fund.
Designed as an essential reference work, the encyclopaedia is intended for cinema specialists, historians, researchers, educators and professionals working in television, culture and the arts, as well as for readers interested in the origins and century long development of Azerbaijani cinematography.
Reflecting bp’s long standing commitment to preserving and promoting Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage, this project forms part of a broader cultural heritage programme supported by bp. Alongside the earlier presented art book on Mirza Gadim Iravani and the newly presented Cinema Encyclopaedia, the project also includes three major research works on Azerbaijani carpets by Dr. Kubra Aliyeva.
The remaining books included in this art project will be publicly presented later this year.
The total value of the project — covering the development and publication of all eight books — is AZN 308,498 (approximately $181,470).
The project is implemented by the Initiatives and Projects Centre (Təşəbbüslər və Layihələr Mərkəzi).
Notes to editors
bp has been present in Azerbaijan for 33 years safely, efficiently and reliably operating major oil and gas exploration, development and transportation projects. To date, together with its co-venturers, bp has invested more than $89 billion into projects it operates in the country. In Azerbaijan, we are committed to supporting sustainability efforts focusing on the areas where we believe we can make the most difference.
bp’s extensive social investment activities and capacity-building efforts in the country have had a positive impact and brought tangible benefits to people, improving their lives and making a difference.
The company’s and its co-venturers’ social investments cover such areas as building local capabilities, education, development of communities, local enterprises, the environment, sporting potential as well as research into and promotion of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Overall, since the start, bp itself and together with its co-venturers in the joint ventures that bp operates in Azerbaijan, has spent more than $115 million on social investment projects in this country.
In Azerbaijan, bp directly employs around 2,344 Azerbaijani citizens who make over 90 per cent of the company’s professional staff.
For more information about bp and its co-venturers’ social investment projects please visit the bp Azerbaijan site at www.bp.com/azerbaijan.
Tamam Bayatly at bp’s press office in Baku.
Telephone: (+994 12) 525 58 95