The National Operator of Cultural Projects is being established in Uzbekistan. This structure will be responsible for organizing significant events at both international and republican levels, as well as for presenting national culture abroad.
The National Operator of Cultural Projects is being established in Uzbekistan. This structure will be responsible for organizing significant events at both international and republican levels, as well as for presenting national culture abroad.
The decree on the creation of this operator was signed by the president. The goal of the document is to stimulate the development of the cultural industry and raise the standards for holding major events. The state institution 'National Operator of Cultural Projects' has been formed based on the Directorate of International Festivals, which is part of the Ministry of Culture. The new operator will function under the Fund for the Development of Culture and Arts, while maintaining the existing funding system.
The new operator has been granted a number of important preferences for preparing and holding cultural events of international and republican scale. These benefits include free provision of public security, medical assistance, and the work of road patrol services during events. Furthermore, until the beginning of 2030, the operator is exempt from customs duties on various equipment, including stage technology, musical instruments, props, advertising materials, and LED screens. The use of drones and LED screens for technical support of large-scale events is also officially permitted.
As part of the cultural policy, it has been decided that the international music festival 'Shark Taronalari' will take place every two years, starting next year. Previously, a program of international cultural projects was presented to the president, according to which Uzbekistan plans to showcase its archaeological finds, works of art, and national handicraft products on leading world stages, covering museums in Europe and Asia, as well as Carnegie Hall in New York.
Uzbekistan is initiating a program called Country Placement, aimed at promoting the country through foreign films and series. The state has expressed readiness to provide financial assistance to international film productions on the condition that they feature iconic locations of the republic and highlight these attractions for a global audience.
Authorities expect that after the premieres of such films in cinemas or on popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, interest in Uzbekistan will increase. This method is known as film tourism, which is actively used by many countries because viewers often visit filming locations after watching successful movies.
The search for suitable projects has been entrusted to the Project Office for Tourism Product Development. Specialists from this office will monitor the global film market, find promising ideas even at the script stage, and negotiate with film studios. To qualify for state support, filmmakers must include recognizable places, historical monuments, or tourist sites of Uzbekistan in their works, ensuring that the viewer clearly understands that the action takes place in this country.
In addition to mandatory requirements, the film must meet extra criteria. For example, it must be available on an international streaming platform with a base of at least one million paid users or undergo wide theatrical release in at least three countries, where screenings exceed one thousand showings. Participation of renowned figures in the film industry, such as actors, directors, or producers recognized with awards like the 'Oscar', 'Golden Globe', BAFTA, or prizes from major international film festivals, is also considered an advantage.
Each application will be reviewed by a special commission, and the amount of state aid will be determined individually for each project. Payments are planned in stages: the first part is made after shooting scenes related to Uzbekistan, and the remainder is paid after the film is released in theaters or on streaming services. Furthermore, Uzbekistan offers monetary compensation to attract foreign film crews and international film projects, allowing foreign film companies to reimburse some of the costs incurred during filming in the country.
