Blab Entertainment
Azerbaijans Taghiyev Series Sets Record as Most-Watched Local Film, Earns International Accolades
Azerbaijan’s cinematic pulse has just been set ablaze. The four‑part historical drama Taghiyev has drawn more than 200,000 viewers across the country, topping every domestic release in box‑office data released by cinema operators and reported by AzerNEWS. Produced by the Baku Media Center, the series chronicles the life of philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev through the chapters Taghiyev: Oil, Taghiyev: The Tsar, Taghiyev: Sona, and Taghiyev: School.
The saga began with Taghiyev: Oil, which premiered in 2024 to honor the 100th anniversary of Taghiyev’s death. Its final chapter, Taghiyev: School, opened in 2026, marking the 125th anniversary of the girls’ school founded by the philanthropist. Each installment has remained in circulation at Azerbaijan’s leading cinemas, a testament to sustained public interest and the series’ enduring appeal.
Internationally, Taghiyev: Oil earned the distinction of being Azerbaijan’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. Although the film was not nominated, its submission was announced by the Azerbaijani Film Submission Committee in September 2025. The film also received a screening at the Princess Anne Theatre of BAFTA in London in 2026 and was showcased in Los Angeles during its U.S. premiere.
At the Dede Gorgud Film Festival, actor Parviz Mammadrazayev—who portrayed Taghiyev—captured the Best Actor award for his performance in Taghiyev: Oil. The first chapter also earned the Best Feature Film Color Grading award at the Dehancer Colourist Awards 2024.
The production’s scale is staggering: shooting spanned 76 locations across Azerbaijan, involving nearly 2,500 people in large‑scale crowd scenes. More than 300 sets were built for historical sequences, and a dedicated costume workshop produced period garments, accessories, jewelry, and props to recreate the late 19th‑ and early 20th‑century setting.
The creative team behind the series includes executive producer Arzu Aliyeva, producer Orman Aliyev, director Zaur Gasimli, and screenwriters Ismayil Iman, Asif Isgenderli, and Gasimli. The director of photography is Vladimir Artemyev, production designer Sabuhi Atababayev, costume designer Vusal Rahim, composer Etibar Asadli, and editor Asgar Rahimov.
In celebration of Azerbaijan’s National Cinema Day, CinemaPlus is hosting a Taghiyev Film Week that runs through August 9. The event offers audiences the chance to view all four chapters in a single venue, underscoring the cultural significance of Taghiyev’s legacy and the film’s role in promoting national history and values.
The series’ record box‑office performance signals a growing appetite for locally produced historical dramas and demonstrates Azerbaijan’s capacity to produce large‑scale productions that compete on an international stage. As of the latest reports, the remaining chapters are still in post‑production, with release dates slated for late 2025 and early 2026. The Baku Media Center has indicated that the series will continue to be screened in cinemas beyond its initial run, ensuring that the story of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev remains accessible to new audiences.
The Taghiyev series stands as a milestone for Azerbaijan’s film industry, combining historical storytelling with substantial production values and achieving both domestic popularity and international recognition.
The saga began with Taghiyev: Oil, which premiered in 2024 to honor the 100th anniversary of Taghiyev’s death. Its final chapter, Taghiyev: School, opened in 2026, marking the 125th anniversary of the girls’ school founded by the philanthropist. Each installment has remained in circulation at Azerbaijan’s leading cinemas, a testament to sustained public interest and the series’ enduring appeal.
Internationally, Taghiyev: Oil earned the distinction of being Azerbaijan’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. Although the film was not nominated, its submission was announced by the Azerbaijani Film Submission Committee in September 2025. The film also received a screening at the Princess Anne Theatre of BAFTA in London in 2026 and was showcased in Los Angeles during its U.S. premiere.
At the Dede Gorgud Film Festival, actor Parviz Mammadrazayev—who portrayed Taghiyev—captured the Best Actor award for his performance in Taghiyev: Oil. The first chapter also earned the Best Feature Film Color Grading award at the Dehancer Colourist Awards 2024.
The production’s scale is staggering: shooting spanned 76 locations across Azerbaijan, involving nearly 2,500 people in large‑scale crowd scenes. More than 300 sets were built for historical sequences, and a dedicated costume workshop produced period garments, accessories, jewelry, and props to recreate the late 19th‑ and early 20th‑century setting.
The creative team behind the series includes executive producer Arzu Aliyeva, producer Orman Aliyev, director Zaur Gasimli, and screenwriters Ismayil Iman, Asif Isgenderli, and Gasimli. The director of photography is Vladimir Artemyev, production designer Sabuhi Atababayev, costume designer Vusal Rahim, composer Etibar Asadli, and editor Asgar Rahimov.
In celebration of Azerbaijan’s National Cinema Day, CinemaPlus is hosting a Taghiyev Film Week that runs through August 9. The event offers audiences the chance to view all four chapters in a single venue, underscoring the cultural significance of Taghiyev’s legacy and the film’s role in promoting national history and values.
The series’ record box‑office performance signals a growing appetite for locally produced historical dramas and demonstrates Azerbaijan’s capacity to produce large‑scale productions that compete on an international stage. As of the latest reports, the remaining chapters are still in post‑production, with release dates slated for late 2025 and early 2026. The Baku Media Center has indicated that the series will continue to be screened in cinemas beyond its initial run, ensuring that the story of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev remains accessible to new audiences.
The Taghiyev series stands as a milestone for Azerbaijan’s film industry, combining historical storytelling with substantial production values and achieving both domestic popularity and international recognition.
