Bishkek International Film Festival: The 4th Bishkek International Film Festival is leaning into a bigger regional role, welcoming guests from 30+ countries, staging nine world premieres, and boosting KyrgyzBox and industry pitching sessions—while winners included Reza Rahadian’s On Your Lap taking Best Film. Festival Debate: Still, the event sparked controversy over the blue-carpet spotlight on bloggers, with critics saying it blurred the line between cinema professionals and social-media stars. K-pop in Kyrgyzstan: A new “Click the Star – Central Asia” project will cast for an international K-pop girl group in Kyrgyzstan starting in August, with girls aged 16–22 eligible for online selection, then offline auditions and training in Seoul. Issyk-Kul F1H2O Prep: Kyrgyz officials say environmental expertise found no major negative impact from the upcoming F1H2O water “Formula 1” stage (July 31–Aug 2), as construction work ramps up with parking, asphalt, and 800 meters of sidewalks. Health via TV: Kyrgyzstan is using reality TV to tackle obesity, with government employees training on camera for an amateur Asia Triathlon Cup. City Culture Calendar: Bishkek and Osh have fresh arts listings—ballet-school performances, a musical in Osh, and ongoing museum exhibitions including Pomegranate Garden.