Tashkent hosted the opening ceremony of the 8th European Film Festival.

The festival screenings will be held at Yulduz Cinema in Tashkent from 1 October and at Bukhara Cinema in Bukhara from 3 October, with free entrance. The European Film Festival is held within the framework of the Tashkent International Film Festival “The Pearl of the Silk Road”.

“We are delighted to launch the 8th edition of the European Film Festival in Uzbekistan. This year marks a significant milestone, as the EFF has become an integral part of the Tashkent International Film Festival. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Cinematography Agency for their invaluable collaboration in orchestrating this significant cultural event. The EU’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and making EU culture, including cinematography, accessible to people in Uzbekistan, has remained unwavering throughout the years. Despite temporary disruptions caused by the global pandemic, we are excited to witness the return of some of the best EU films to cinema screens. From the film “Tale of the Sleeping Giants”, produced in Finland – at the northern end of the EU, to “My Grandfather’s Demon”, produced in Portugal, at the southern end of the EU, all 15 films offer a captivating journey through various storytelling genres that transcend borders and languages. They invite us to delve into the richness of human experiences, promising an exciting cinematic journey for everyone”, said Charlotte Adriaen, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan.

During the opening ceremony of the film festival, EU-FOCUS FILM CAMP participants were awarded certificates on successful completion of the courses. An educational project for teenagers EU-FOCUS FILM CAMP was launched by the FOCUS School of Film and Theater with financial support from the European Union earlier this year. The training was free of charge and included diverse theoretical trainings, workshops, film screenings, meetings with local and foreign experts, and film shooting practice.

“This year, the European Film Festival is taking place as part of the Tashkent International Film Festival for the first time. In addition to the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan, I would like to thank the Embassy of France for providing the film “Anatomy of a Fall”. The film won the top prize this year at the Cannes Film Festival and will open the Tashkent Film Festival. During the festival, Uzbek filmmakers will also have the opportunity to pitch their products to the Institut Francais. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Embassy of Italy, which organized a wonderful exhibition of Italian costumes. Finally, the festival will see the signing of a number of agreements for joint film production, including an exciting project with the working title “Vamberi” that will be developed with support from the Hungarian National Film Institute”, emphasized Firdavs Abdukhalikov, General Director of the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency.

As part of the European Film Festival, a concert of the group “Ego le Cachalot” will take place in Tashkent. French performer David Delabrosse, on behalf of the music-lover whale in a playful and relaxed way introduces children to our difficult world: ecology, social inequality, and the difficulties that a child faces in the family and society. The concert will take place on 2 October at the House of Cinematographers. The entrance is free of charge.

UzA