The Day of Azerbaijani Cinema is observed in Azerbaijan every August 2, commemorating the first public film screening in the country, which took place on this date in 1898. Established by President Heydar Aliyev in 2000, the holiday honors the contributions of Azerbaijani cinema, which began with the work of French-Russian entrepreneur Alexandre Michon, who filmed documentaries in Baku, the capital. On August 2, 1898, Michon exhibited films such as “The Oil Gush in Balakhan” and “The Folk Dance of Caucasus,” marking the inception of Azerbaijani cinema. Despite challenges following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the cinema industry in Azerbaijan continues to develop. The day serves as a celebration of the country's rich cinematic heritage and its ongoing contributions to the arts.