European Films on screen in Tashkent and Urgench
The grand opening of the 11th European Film Festival, which will be held this year in Tashkent and Urgench, took place at the National Palace of Cinematic Arts of Uzbekistan.
The annual cultural event is organized by the European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan together with the Cinematography Agency under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and with the support of the embassies of EU Member States and cultural institutions, as well as other European countries.
The event began with a press conference attended by His Excellency Toivo Klaar, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan, and Matyakub Matchanov, Chairman of the Creative Union of Cinematographers of Uzbekistan.
The XI European Film Festival in Uzbekistan features 11 heartfelt stories from directors representing Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, and Slovenia. Throughout the festival, audiences will enjoy a diverse program spanning genres from documentaries and psychological dramas to animation, biopics, and romances.
“The European Film Festival is an opportunity to discover Europe through stories that reflect the diversity of our cultures and universal human values. This year, we are sharing the film festival celebration with Urgench. Expanding the festival’s reach beyond Tashkent has become a wonderful tradition that creates opportunities to strengthen cultural exchange with Uzbekistan’s regions. I would like to express my gratitude to the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan, the embassies of the EU Member States, and the participating cultural organizations for their long-standing partnership. Their contribution has made this festival a standout event and a vibrant dialogue between nations through the universal language of cinema”, Toivo Klaar, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan, said.
“The European Film Festival serves as an important platform for fostering intercultural dialogue and creative exchange. It offers Uzbek audiences an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of the distinctive artistic approaches of European cinema, as well as the lives, values, and cultural heritage of different peoples. Through the art of cinema, mutual understanding and friendship among nations are strengthened, creating favorable conditions for new creative ideas and international film collaboration. Today, Uzbekistan continues to deepen its cooperation with European countries in cinematography. Joint film production, the exchange of professional expertise, and the promotion of Uzbek cinema on the international stage are among the key priorities of this cooperation. I am confident that such initiatives will help enhance the professional capabilities of Uzbek filmmakers, strengthen the international standing of our national cinema, and further expand cultural ties between our peoples”, Matyakub Matchanov, Chairman of the Creative Union of Cinematographers of Uzbekistan, noted.
The festival program opened with the 2024 animated film “A Boat in the Garden”, a co-production between France and Luxembourg.
Set in a seaside town in the early 1950s, the story follows young François as he and his parents embark on an unusual endeavor: building a sailboat in the family garden. This bold project inspires the protagonist to dream big and come up with grand ideas, symbolizing his transition from childhood to youth.
The festival program will be screened in Tashkent at the Palace of National Cinematography from October 23 to 25, and in Urgench at the Khudoybergan Devonov Cinema on October 27.
Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA
